Sugary drinks increase risk of early colorectal cancer, study finds

You already know that sipping sugary drinks can increase your risk of various chronic diseases, but a new study highlights another to put on your radar: your soda habit could increase your chances of an early onset colorectal cancer, the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women in the United States.

In the study published in the journal Intestine, the researchers used the Nurses’ Health Study II, where nearly 96,000 women reported the drinks they drank in a dietary questionnaire every four years.

They found that women who drank two or more sugary drinks per day had more than double the risk of developing early colorectal cancer (before age 50) compared to women who drank less than one sugary drink per week.

Each 8-ounce sugary drink consumed per day was associated with a 16% higher risk of developing the disease at an early stage. Meanwhile, between ages 13 and 18, each daily serving was associated with a 32% higher risk. Overall, 109 study participants were diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer.

These drinks include carbonated and non-carbonated drinks sweetened with sugar and high fructose corn syrup, such as sodas, fruit drinks, punches, and sweetened iced tea, the lead author explains. study. Jinhee Hur, Ph.D., researcher in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

While scientists know that too much sugar can have harmful effects on the body, they are still puzzled as to what. exactly links these sugary drinks to early-onset colorectal cancer.

Hur hypothesizes that solid foods with the same amount of calories are more filling than sugary drinks alone, which may promote overeating. This could, in turn, lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, all of which increase your overall cancer risk. In fact, one of the main risk factors for colorectal cancer is following a Western-style diet, she says, which is generally high in processed foods and low in fiber that is good for the gut.

To significantly reduce your risk, replace sugary drinks with water, milk, or unsweetened coffee or tea. Then take a closer look at your diet. Hur suggests eating less red and processed meat, which is also associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, and limiting your alcohol intake (no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and two for men. ).

You must also load on high fiber foods like whole grains, chia seeds and legumes. Eating more fiber helps keep your digestive system moving, which research shows may help protect the gut against the formation of carcinogenic mutations. Hur also encourages staying active throughout the day (aim for around 150 minutes of exercise per week) and working with your doctor to determine what a healthy weight looks like for you.

Finally, don’t forget to check with your doctor when to start regular screenings, especially if you have a family history of the disease or suffer from it. signs of colon cancer, such as rectal bleeding, unexplained constipation, or sudden weight loss.

Yes, even if you are young; According to data from the American Cancer Society, 12% of colorectal cancer cases – around 18,000 – were diagnosed in people under the age of 50 last year. This is why the recommended screening age has recently been lowered to 45 years.

“We hope that many people will follow this recommendation and pass their screening tests,” said Hur, “which could certainly help in the effective prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease.”

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