Colon cancer is more likely to be diagnosed and be fatal if people drink sugary beverages, according to new research accepted for publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Sugar-sweetened drinks have been linked to an enhanced risk of cancer in the first two components of the colon, per a study published in the journal Eat This, Not That.
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health scientists conducted the study, which involved 120,000 participants. According to the study’s authors, there was a link between the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer and the frequency with which they consumed sugary drinks, as well as the number of deaths caused by the disease.
What did the study discover?
The research;s findings were clear-cut. Researchers found a link between an increased risk of proximal colon cancer mortality and the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and total fructose. This link was particularly strong in the later stages of tumorigenesis. Such observational data endorse research results from a previous animal research that tried to suggest that dietary sugars directly enhance tumorigenesis in colorectal tumors, despite the need for further verification in other large cohorts.
Reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is recommended by the American Institute for Cancer Research because they not only contribute to weight gain and obesity, both of which are harmful to our health, but also to a variety of cancers. The dangers of sugary beverages to our health are well-documented. Some other cancers associated with them include liver, pancreas, and endometrium in addition to colorectal.
Keeping a healthy lifestyle is also recommended by the AICR in order to reduce one’s risk of contracting any type of cancer. As part of this, you should eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, minimize processed foods and limit your consumption of sugary drinks as well as alcohol.
