Daily Sugary Drink Consumption Doubles Risk of Gastric Cancer

According to a recent study conducted by the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) daily is associated with more than double the risk of developing gastric cancer. This findings highlights a common dietary habit among many adults in the United States.

Approximately 65% of American adults report daily intake of SSBs, which include sodas, fruit punch, and sweetened sports drinks. The research, published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances, analysed two significant data sources: the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, involving 112,284 participants.

During a follow-up period spanning decades, 278 participants were diagnosed with gastric cancer. Senior author Andrew T. Chan, MD, MPH, who is a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist at the institution, stated, "This is the first study to demonstrate an association between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and gastric cancer in a U.S. population."