Even a few ounces of sugary drinks can be linked to increased risk of cancer

Sugary drinks and drinks with soda have always had bad effects on health. There is more bad news for those who consume such drinks on a daily basis or regularly. A new study has linked drinking just a small glass of sugar drink per day – 100 ml which is about a third of a typical can of soda to an 18 percent increase in overall cancer risk and a 22 percent increase in risk of breast cancer.

The research had overlooked at more than 100,000 French adults and have linked the consumption of sugary drinks to an increased risk of some cancers. This has followed a recent study that linked sugary beverage consumption to a greater risk of premature deaths. Ian Johnson, the nutrition researcher and emeritus fellow at Quadram Institute Bioscience, who was not involved in the research said, “The results indicate statistically significant correlations between the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and risk of all cancers combined, and of breast cancer”.

Johnson while talking to a leading daily said that the increased risk of cancer is heavier in consumers of sugary drinks and was observed in consumers of pure fruit juice. The researcher also calls for more research. Lead study author, Mathilde Touvier said that the findings added to research showing that reducing how many sweetened beverages people drink would be beneficial for the health.

Touvier added the main driver of the association seems to be the sugar contained in such sugary drinks. High sugar consumption is a risk factor for obesity as well as weight gain. The researcher added that obesity itself is a risk factor for cancer. The next possibility is the additives like 4-methylimidazole that is found in drinks that contain caramel coloring. This can also play a role in cancer forming. The researcher has advised that people must stick to public health guidelines that recommend limiting sugary drinks to a maximum of one glass a day.

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