Sugary drink consumption linked to increased stomach cancer risk

A large-scale study published in Gastro Hep Advances has linked daily consumption of sugary drinks to a significantly increased risk of stomach cancer. Researchers analyzed data from over 112,000 participants from two long-term studies, tracking health outcomes between 1986 and 2022.

Findings indicate that individuals who consume at least one sugary drink per day—such as soda, lemonade, punch, or sports drinks—face approximately 2.45 times the risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those who consume fewer than one serving per month. The risk appears more pronounced in women, where consuming more than one drink daily was associated with nearly triple the risk, while men faced roughly double the risk.

Lead author and gastroenterologist Dr. Andrew T. Chan of Massachusetts General Hospital noted that this is the first study to demonstrate this specific link within the U.S. population. While the study also noted that higher fructose intake was associated with increased cancer frequency, researchers emphasized that the findings show a correlation rather than a definitive causal link. Notably, the study did not find a significant association between drinks containing artificial sweeteners and stomach cancer risk after adjusting for other factors.