Sugary drinks linked to increased stomach cancer risk

A large-scale American study published in Gastro Hep Advances has linked the daily consumption of sugary drinks to a significantly increased risk of stomach cancer. Led by Dr. Andrew T. Chan of the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, the research analyzed data from over 112,000 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Findings indicate that individuals who consume at least one sugary beverage per day (approximately 237 ml) face a 2.45 times higher risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those who consume them rarely. The risk appears even more pronounced in women, with some data suggesting a risk nearly three times higher for daily consumers.

The study specifically focused on sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, lemonades, and sweetened sports drinks. Notably, researchers found no similar association between artificially sweetened drinks and increased stomach cancer risk. While the observational study shows a strong statistical correlation, researchers emphasize it does not directly prove causation.