One soft drink a day could increase your risk of liver cancer, shows research
Drinking at least one sugary beverage like soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks a day may be linked to significantly higher risk of liver cancer, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held on June 14-16.
The study examined data from more than 90,000 women between the ages of 59 and 79, from several universities, including the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health.
The data was compiled after reviewing the women’s health for 19 years and was aimed at looking at a possible link between the consumption of soft drinks and the risk of liver cancer.
The study found that women who drank soft drink once a day had a 73% higher risk of liver cancer than others.
According to research, women who drink more than one soft drink a day have a 78% risk of liver cancer.
Notably, liver cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer in the world.
Researchers say that replacing sugary drinks with water, tea or coffee can significantly reduce the risk of contagious diseases such as liver cancer.
Studies have shown that sweetened beverages increase the risk of liver cancer due to the sugar in them.
High sugar intake reduces the sensitivity of people to the hormone insulin which controls blood sugar, increases body weight and can increase the amount of fat around the liver.
All of these factors can lead to liver damage and increase the risk of cancer.
Researchers further say more research is needed to understand this link, as it is not yet clear whether sugary drinks directly cause liver cancer.
But researchers say the findings suggest that minimal consumption of sugary drinks may reduce the risk of liver cancer.
