Drinking at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day more than doubles the risk of developing stomach cancer, according to U.S. researchers [1, 2, 3].
This finding highlights a potential link between common dietary habits and gastric malignancies, suggesting that high sugar intake may be a significant modifiable risk factor.
The research stems from a decades-long cohort study in the United States that followed more than 112,000 adults [2]. The study, reported in 2024, tracked participants for up to three decades to observe long-term health outcomes [2].
Data indicates that individuals who consumed soda daily faced a 2.45-fold higher risk of stomach cancer [2]. Other reports from the study suggest that consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily more than doubles the overall risk [1].
Researchers said the increased risk is tied to how high sugar intake affects the body. Such consumption may promote inflammation and alter gut microbiota, mechanisms thought to increase the likelihood of gastric cancer [1].
While the risk is associated with sugar-sweetened beverages, some reports indicate that sugar-free drinks do not increase the risk of stomach cancer [3]. This distinction suggests that the sugar content, rather than the carbonation or beverage type, is the primary driver of the risk.
“Drinking at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day more than doubles the risk of developing stomach cancer”
This study underscores the systemic impact of refined sugar on gastrointestinal health. By linking daily consumption to a more than two-fold increase in cancer risk, the data suggests that the metabolic and inflammatory effects of sugar can create an environment conducive to malignancy in the stomach lining over several decades.
