Popular daily drinking habit could nearly triple risk of stomach cancer, major study finds

Key Points:

• New research from Mass General Brighbarm indicates that consuming at least one sugary beverage daily nearly triples the risk of developing stomach cancer compared to drinking fewer than one serving per month.
• The study analyzed data from over 100,000 participants in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, focusing on sugar-sweetened drinks like sodas, fruit punches, lemonade, and sports beverages, with fructose identified as a key risk factor.
• No increased risk was found with artificially sweetened beverages such as diet sodas, and the association between sugary drinks and stomach cancer appeared independent of Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Researchers emphasize that the study shows an association rather than causation, noting the predominantly White healthcare professional study population and calling for further research in more diverse groups.
• The findings highlight concerns about rising gastrointestinal cancers, especially among younger adults, potentially linked to increased consumption of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods.