Study Reveals Soda Doubles Colorectal Cancer Risk in Women Under 50

A recent study aimed to delve deeper into the reasons behind the escalating incidences of colorectal cancer. Medical professionals have observed a worrisome surge in cases, especially among individuals below 50 years of age. A team from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis conducted a study that appears to have identified the cause.

The researchers found an association between the consumption of sugary drinks and a heightened risk of colorectal cancer in women younger than 50. The findings indicate that high intake of sugary beverages during teenage years (13-18) and adulthood significantly amplifies the risk. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence that highlights the detrimental health impacts of sugary drinks. It is hoped that the study, which was published online on May 6 in the journal Gut, will motivate people to reduce their intake of sweetened beverages.

WHAT THE RESEARCHERS SAY ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COLORECTAL CANCER AND SODA

“Colorectal cancer in younger adults remains relatively rare, but the fact that the rates have been increasing over the past three decades — and we don’t understand why — is a major public health concern and a priority in cancer prevention,” said senior author Yin Cao, ScD, an associate professor of surgery and medicine in the Division of Public Health Sciences at Washington University.

“Due to the increase in colorectal cancer at younger ages, the average age of colorectal cancer diagnosis has gone down from 72 to 66 years. These cancers are more advanced at diagnosis and have different characteristics compared with cancers from older populations.

“Our lab is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network to identify risk factors, the molecular landscapes, and precision screening strategies for these cancers so that they can be detected earlier and even prevented,” said Cao, who also holds a master’s degree in public health. “In past work, we have shown that poor diet quality was associated with increased risk of early-onset colorectal cancer precursors, but we have not previously examined specific nutrients or foods.”

STUDY SHOWING SUGARY DRINKS INCREASE COLORECTAL CANCER DIAGNOSES IN WOMEN

A study compared the cancer risks associated with varying consumption levels of sugary drinks among women. Data was analyzed from those who consumed less than one 8-ounce serving of sugary beverages weekly. This data was then contrasted with women who consumed two or more servings daily.

The latter group exhibited more than double the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer, defined as receiving a diagnosis before the age of 50. The study revealed that each additional daily 8-ounce serving increased the risk of colorectal cancer by 16%. Notably, the risk doubled for ages 13-18, as each daily serving heightened the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer by 32%.

Prior studies have established a connection between sugary drinks and metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity, even among children. Yet, there has been limited research on the link between sweetened beverages and colorectal cancer in younger individuals. Adolescents and young adults aged 20 to 34 are the highest consumers of sugary drinks. With an uptick in colorectal cancer cases among women under 50, researchers aimed to delve deeper into this potential correlation.

For this investigation, data from the Nurses’ Health Study II was utilized. This extensive cohort study tracked the health details of nearly 116,500 female nurses from 1991 to 2015. Participants completed dietary questionnaires every four years, which included queries about beverage types and quantities consumed. Of these participants, over 41,000 also provided details on their beverage consumption during their teenage years.

Amongst the nearly 116,500 participants, there were 109 identified cases of early-onset colorectal cancer.

SUGAR LINKS TO MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS, EVEN IN YOUNGER ADULTS.

“Despite the small number of cases, there is still a strong signal to suggest that sugar intake, especially in early life, is playing a role down the road in increasing adulthood colorectal cancer risk before age 50,” said Cao, also a research member of Siteman Cancer Center. “This study, combined with our past work linking obesity and metabolic conditions to a higher risk of early-onset colorectal cancer, suggests that metabolic problems, such as insulin resistance, may play an important role in the development of this cancer in younger adults.”

Because of the increasing colorectal cancer diagnoses, the American Cancer Society recently changed its guidelines for colonoscopy screenings. It lowered the recommended age for a first screening colonoscopy to 45, down from the previously recommended age of fifty. However, those with other risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, should have a screening even earlier.

While the study shed light on the risks of sugary beverages, there was one caveat to the research. It only included female nurses, most of whom were white; therefore, additional studies are necessary. The team wants to duplicate the study with people of other races, ethnicities, and genders.

The research also showed that you seem to lower colorectal cancer risk if you choose healthier beverages, such as milk and coffee. Of course, the observational study can’t verify with 100% certainty whether sugary drinks cause colorectal cancer. It also can’t prove that drinking milk or coffee protects against this type of cancer. However, researchers say that milk and coffee clearly provide more health benefits if you have a choice.

Cao said:

“GIVEN THIS DATA, WE RECOMMEND THAT PEOPLE AVOID SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND INSTEAD CHOOSE DRINKS LIKE MILK AND COFFEE WITHOUT SWEETENERS.”

Co-authors of the study include Ebunoluwa Otegbeye, MD, a general surgery resident at Washington University working in the Cao lab. Collaborators include researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School.