Study Links Sugary Drinks to Advanced Colon Cancer in Young Adults

For many people, enjoying a soda can seem like a harmless daily pleasure—just a little fizz alongside an otherwise mindful lifestyle.

However, recent research indicates that this seemingly trivial habit may be seriously contributing to a particularly aggressive type of cancer affecting younger individuals today.

Scientists have identified a connection between the daily consumption of at least one sugary drink or candy and late-stage colon cancer, which is notoriously difficult to treat.

Nearing half of young adults under 50 with stage four cancer reported indulging in at least one sugary item daily, compared to less than 30 percent of those with earlier stages of the disease.

The study found no correlation between colon cancer and the intake of red meat, processed foods, fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, or dairy, pointing instead to sugar as a particular concern.

Dr. Emma Schatoff, a medical oncologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the study’s lead, expressed her alarm at the findings in a statement, noting, “Patients were coming in with cancers that had metastasized to other organs like the liver and lungs, and they were often surprised.”

She continued, “We investigated various factors that could raise risk, including inflammatory bowel disease and medication use. But ultimately, we found no significant differences there.” Then, looking at dietary habits, “We didn’t find a connection with processed foods or red meat. However, there was a marked link with high-sugar foods in those diagnosed with late-stage disease.”

Dr. Schatoff elaborated that a “high-sugar diet” could be defined as daily consumption of sugary foods, like a single soda or candy.

It’s thought that sugar might disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to mutations in cells that lead to tumor formation.

Data from the CDC indicates that about 63 percent of Americans aged 18 and older report drinking at least one soda daily.

The research involved 303 colon cancer patients under the age of 50. Among these, 112 had stage four and 191 had stages one through three.

All participants completed a dietary questionnaire to help the researchers analyze their eating habits for any relations to their illnesses.

When asked how often they consumed high-sugar foods, such as soft drinks or candy, in the two to five years prior to their diagnoses, 45 percent of stage four patients reported daily consumption. In contrast, only 29 percent of those with less advanced cancer did.

Ultimately, the study posits, “In this single-center study of early-onset colon cancer patients, high-sugar diets may be linked to new metastatic disease.” This was shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference, which saw around 40,000 attendees.

While the findings have been published as an abstract, they have yet to undergo peer review in a scientific journal.

Experts believe that regular soda consumption can result in the buildup of sugar in the colon, especially when it’s not fully absorbed. This can alter the gut microbiome, which in turn might increase inflammation levels.

Moreover, it’s suggested that sugar acts as a fuel source for tumor cells, potentially accelerating cancer growth.

A separate study from last year found that low-fiber, high-sugar diets promote the growth of a bacteria called Fusobacterium in the gut, leading to inflammation that may age cells, making them more susceptible to mutations that cause cancer.

In the current study, 51 percent of patients were female, and all were under 50 with no previous cancer history. Those diagnosed with stage four cancer were slightly younger, with an average age of 41, compared to 43 for the others.

Colorectal cancer stands as the fourth most common cancer in the US and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, 154,270 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with colon cancer this year, with 52,900 anticipated deaths.

In the UK, about 44,063 cases are diagnosed annually, resulting in 16,808 deaths. Since the 1990s, early-onset colon cancer cases have surged by 50 percent, and projections suggest rates could double between 2010 and 2030.