People who consume sugar-sweetened beverages every day face a higher risk of developing stomach cancer than those who drink them less than once a month, according to a major study of the United States population published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances and reported by The Independent.
Researchers analyzed health and lifestyle data from 112,000 individuals tracked over several decades. Among the participants, 278 developed stomach cancer, with the elevated risk appearing in both men and women.
Andrew Chan, an author of the study, said the findings mark the first time a link between sugar-sweetened drinks and stomach cancer has been demonstrated in the American population. He noted that stomach cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer death globally, yet medical science knows very little about how diet influences the disease.
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, develops when malignant cells form in the inner lining of the stomach. Gastro Hep Advances is a peer-reviewed medical publication that focuses on gastroenterological research and digestive health conditions.
Fructose and drink types
Fructose served as the primary sweetener in the beverages consumed by study participants. Higher intake of fructose was directly associated with a greater incidence of stomach cancer.
The study found a particularly strong association among female participants. Women who drank more than one sugar-sweetened beverage a day, such as punch, lemonade, or sports drinks, had an almost threefold increase in stomach cancer risk compared to women who consumed them rarely.
In contrast, higher consumption of artificially sweetened carbonated drinks and low-calorie sodas showed no association with an increased incidence of stomach cancer.
Helicobacter pylori status
The researchers also investigated whether the beverages influenced infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known from previous medical studies to elevate stomach cancer risk. In a subgroup of 940 participants evaluated for the bacterium, scientists found no link between consuming sugar-sweetened drinks and H. pylori infection.
Helicobacter pylori is a widespread bacterium that infects the stomach lining and is a primary cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. While H. pylori infection remains an established risk factor for gastric malignancies, the study indicates that sugar-sweetened drinks increase cancer risk through a separate pathway.
