A new study from France has found that drinking even a small glass of sugary soda or juice each day could increase the risk of getting cancer. This includes popular drinks like soft drinks, sports drinks, sweetened iced teas, and fruit juices with added sugar.
Sugary drinks are very common in many countries, especially in the West. People often drink them with meals or as a refreshing treat. But these drinks are high in added sugar, which has already been linked to many health problems.
In the past, scientists have shown that sugary drinks can cause weight gain, increase the risk of obesity, lead to type 2 diabetes, and raise the chance of heart disease. Now, it seems they may also play a role in the development of cancer.
The French study was large, involving more than 100,000 adults aged 18 and older. The researchers followed these people over time, carefully checking what they ate and drank. They paid special attention to how much sugary drinks and artificially sweetened drinks the participants consumed.
The results showed a clear connection: people who drank more sugary drinks had a higher risk of developing cancer. The increase in cancer risk was not limited to one type — it included all types of cancer in general.
However, the link was especially strong for breast cancer. Interestingly, drinks made with artificial sweeteners, like diet sodas, did not show the same link to cancer in this study.
The researchers also looked at 100% fruit juice — the kind without any added sugar — and found that it, too, was linked to a higher risk of cancer. This might surprise some people, since fruit juice is often seen as a healthy choice. But even though it’s made from fruit, it still contains a lot of natural sugar, which may affect the body in similar ways to added sugar.
One possible explanation is that too much sugar in the diet can lead to increased body fat, and excess body fat is known to raise the risk of cancer. Sugar may also lead to higher blood sugar levels and inflammation, which can create conditions in the body that help cancer cells grow.
It’s important to note that the study had some limits. For example, most of the participants were women who were more educated and more health-conscious than the average person in France.
Because of this, the number of cancer cases in the group may have been lower than usual. Also, the study did not look at all types of cancer, like lung cancer or skin cancer, so more research is needed.
Still, this study adds to growing evidence that sugary drinks are harmful to health. Even though more studies are needed to fully understand the link between sugary drinks and cancer, the message is clear: cutting back on sugary drinks is a good idea.
Health experts recommend choosing drinks like water, unsweetened tea or coffee, or other low-sugar options. These can keep you hydrated without the extra sugar and may help protect you from health problems down the road.
This study was led by Eloi Chazelas and published in the medical journal The BMJ. It is part of a larger effort to understand how everyday habits affect long-term health and how small changes — like drinking less soda or juice — could lower our risk of serious diseases like cancer.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about vitamin D and bowel cancer, and a cautionary note about peanuts and cancer.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between ultra-processed foods and cancer, and everyday foods to ward off pancreatic cancer.
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