Sugary Beverages Linked to Increased Gastric Cancer Risk

Recent research indicates that regularly consuming sugary drinks may more than double the risk of gastric cancer. The study, conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, found that individuals who drink a sugar-sweetened beverage daily have a 2.45 times higher likelihood of developing gastric cancer than those who consume one or fewer such drinks monthly. These results 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 Americans aged 18 or older report drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily. This habit is similar among children, with around 60% consuming these drinks each day, adding more than 400 calories daily on average. Types of sugar-sweetened beverages include sodas, energy drinks, and juices with added sugars, excluding 100% fresh fruit juices.

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

Study Findings

The research involved analyzing health data from over 112,000 U.S. adults. It identified a significant increase in gastric cancer risk among those regularly consuming sugary beverages, particularly among female participants. However, the study did not find a similar risk increase with artificially sweetened drinks. Previous research has connected artificial sweeteners with adverse impacts on metabolic and gut health.

Dr. Manish Shah, a gastrointestinal oncology professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, commented on the significance of these findings, noting that if confirmed, they could be important. His remarks highlighted existing concerns about cancer risks linked to high fructose and sugar additive consumption, as prior studies have associated fructose consumption with colon cancer, though to a lesser extent.

Potential Mechanisms

Researchers are exploring the potential links between high sugar consumption and an increased risk of certain cancers. Dr. Shah suggested multiple factors might explain this association. One possibility is that fructose could alter the gut microbiota, raising cancer risk. Additionally, previous studies have linked sugary drinks with weight gain and metabolic changes, and obesity is known to be a cancer risk factor.

Reference: Chan, Andrew et al. (2026) Association between sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage intake and gastric cancer incidence. Gastro Hep Advances. View study

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