A recent study has found that women who consume sugary beverages at least once a day have nearly twice the risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who consume them once a month.
According to the international academic journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, on February 26, a research team at the Cuernavaca Nutrition and Health Research Center in Mexico, led by Adriana Garduño-Alanis, analyzed the consumption of sugary beverages, mammography results, and blood test results of 2,074 women aged 35 to 69 who visited three hospitals in Mexico from 2004 to 2007.
As a result, the incidence of breast cancer in women who consumed sugary drinks once or more per day was 1.89 times that of women who consumed sugary beverages once or less per month. A single serving was defined as the 250ml found in a typical can of soda.
Further research indicated that among postmenopausal women, the intake of sugary beverages did not correlate with an increased risk of breast cancer. Moreover, the consumption of sugary drinks was higher in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women.
The researchers explained that the consumption of sugary drinks is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. They suggested that higher insulin levels could activate insulin receptors in breast tissue or enhance the activity of insulin-like growth factors, indirectly influencing the risk of breast cancer.
The researchers stated, “High consumption of sugary beverages can increase markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially increasing the risk of breast cancer.” They added, “This study is the first to demonstrate the association between the consumption of sugary drinks intake and the risk of breast cancer.”
This study was published in the February issue of the international academic journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.