Sweet Drinks Trigger Cancer Cell Development, Myth or Fact?

Sweet drinks, such as soft drinks and packaged juices, are loved by many people because they can give a fresh sensation after consuming them. Rumors are circulating that consuming too many sweet drinks can trigger cancer. Is that true? Check out the facts below.

Link between Consumption of Sweet Drinks and Cancer Risk

Sugary drinks are all water-based drinks with added sugar. Beverages that fall into this category include soft drinks, fruit juices with added sugar, energy drinks, and packaged teas. In general, these products are high in energy but provide little nutrition.

Until now, it is not known the direct effect of sugary drinks on cancer. However, consuming large amounts of sugary drinks is known to contribute to an increased risk of cancer.

However, there are several links between consumption of sugary drinks and an increased risk of cancer.

Also Read: Don’t be careless, these are 7 dangers of excessive consumption of sweet foods

Excessive Consumption of Sweet Drinks Triggers Obesity

Sweet drinks can cause weight gain and fat accumulation in the stomach area. Fat on the belly is called visceral fat. Weight gain and fat accumulation in the long term can lead to obesity.

Fat accumulation in the body can also trigger prolonged inflammation in the body. This can make it difficult for cells to heal inflammation and the risk of cell DNA mutations will also increase, so that the risk of cancer will also increase.

Some of the cancers that can be suffered include pancreatic cancer, uterus, prostate, bladder, kidney, breast, mouth, and liver cancer.

In addition to cancer risk, obesity can also increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes mellitus.

Contains Hazardous Chemical Substances

Packaged sweet drinks, such as soda drinks are known to contain chemical compounds 4-methylimidazole. This chemical compound is suspected of increasing the risk of cancer cell growth in the body. In addition, this compound is also present in packaged fruit juices and is able to provide the same effect.

Research Related to Sweet Drinks and Cancer Risk

A study published in British MedicalJournal involving more than 100 thousand people within 5 years revealed, there is a relationship between the consumption of sweet drinks and various types of cancer.

Sweet drinks included in this study included soft drinks, syrups, fruit-flavored drinks, fruit juices without added sugar, milk-based drinks and energy drinks.

From this study, it can be seen that for every 100 ml increase in consumption of sugary drinks, the risk of cancer will increase by 18% and the risk of breast cancer will increase by 22%.

Apart from that, other research was also carried out in Baylor College of Medicine in Texas And Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. This study states that consumption of sugary drinks can increase tumor growth in colorectal cancer.

Also Read: Alert, Artificial Sweeteners Can Also Trigger Diabetes

A study published in the journal Science studied the association of consumption of high-fructose corn syrup with colorectal cancer. This syrup is a sweetener that is widely used in sweet drinks.

This study involved experimental rats that were given a drink containing high fructose corn syrup. As a result, mice that consume high-fructose corn syrup continuously for a certain period of time can trigger tumor growth in mice.

However, no research has been able to significantly prove that sugary drinks can trigger cancer. Apart from sugary drinks, there are several other factors that increase the risk of cancer, including genetics or family history, smoking habits, and exposure to carcinogens.

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