Impact of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Gastric Cancer Risk

Recent Study Findings on Gastric Cancer Risk

A recent study has highlighted the potential dangers of regularly consuming sugar-sweetened beverages. Research conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School revealed that individuals who drink a sugar-sweetened beverage daily face a 2.45-fold increase in the risk of developing gastric cancer compared to those who drink one or fewer per month. These findings were published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances in August.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 60% of American adults 18 and older report daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The same pattern holds for children, with around 60% consuming such drinks daily. These sugar-rich beverages include sodas, energy drinks, and juices with added sugars, distinct from fresh fruit juices that are 100% fruit.

Gastric Cancer Overview

Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In the United States, over 30,000 people are diagnosed annually, and more than 10,000 succumb to the disease, as reported by the American Cancer Society.

Insights from the Study

By analyzing health data from over 112,000 U.S. adults, researchers discovered not only a two-fold increase in gastric cancer incidence among those regularly consuming sugary beverages but also a notably strong association among females. Interestingly, no similar link was found between artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of gastric cancer.

Prior studies have connected artificial sweeteners to negative health impacts, including adverse effects on metabolic and gut health.

Dr. Manish Shah, a professor of medicine and gastrointestinal oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, commented on the study, noting the findings to be potentially “remarkable” if verified. He emphasized the growing concern of increased cancer risk associated with high fructose and other sugar additives, although the link to colon cancer was comparatively modest.

Possible Reasons Behind Increased Cancer Risk

Scientists continue to investigate the relationship between high sugar consumption and certain cancer types. Dr. Shah suggested multiple factors may be involved, such as potential alterations in gut microbiota due to fructose, possibly leading to a higher cancer risk. Other studies have linked sugary drinks to weight gain and metabolic changes, with obesity connected to cancer in various research.

Chan, Andrew et al. Association between sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage intake and gastric cancer incidence. Gastro Hep Advances, 2026. Read the full study.

For further information, contact Newsweek editors Kara Dolman and Gray R. Thomas on this story.