A study Researchers from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute analyzed decades of data from over 100,000 participants, finding that individuals who consume at least one sugary drink per day face more than double the risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those who rarely consume them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 63% of American adults aged 18 and older report consuming sugar-sweetened beverages—such as regular soda, energy drinks, and juices with added sugar—at least once daily. Dr. Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist, epidemiologist, and the study’s senior author, noted that this is the first research to establish such an association within a U.S. population. He emphasized that while gastric cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, there has been limited understanding regarding how dietary habits influence its development.
The Mayo Clinic defines gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, as a condition that can manifest in any region of the stomach and becomes increasingly difficult to treat as it progresses. While the current study did not find an association between gastric cancer and artificially sweetened, low-calorie carbonated beverages, researchers cautioned that this does not imply diet sodas are entirely without risk. For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has previously classified the artificial sweetener aspartame as a possible carcinogen, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains that it is safe for consumption within established daily limits.
The research team acknowledged several limitations, noting that their findings were based on a predominantly white demographic aged 30 to 75. Consequently, they were unable to analyze potential associations among younger adults or across diverse racial and ethnic subgroups. Furthermore, the study lacked comprehensive data regarding the family and personal health histories of some participants.
While the study highlights a correlation, the authors stated that further research is required to confirm the underlying biological mechanisms. Potential factors that may explain the increased cancer risk include inflammation, insulin resistance, and weight gain associated with high sugar intake. These findings align with previous research that has linked sugar-sweetened beverages to higher risks of other malignancies, including liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. The report also notes that 17 in the Gastro Hep Advances journal, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute researchers found that consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day is associated with more than twice the risk of developing gastri. The report also notes that but that doesn’t mean diet sodas come with no risk.