Consuming sugary drinks daily could increase your risk of cancer: Study

Consuming even a small amount of sugar a day could increase your risk of cancer, according to a study conducted by researchers in France. The team suggests soda and fruit juices can be extremely dangerous for our health even when consumed in tiny amounts.

For the study, researchers analysed data derived from more than 100,000 healthy adults. They studied the information carefully to find an association between sugary beverages and cancer development.

According to the results, 100 ml per day of sweet drinks could increase the risk of breast cancer by 22 per cent. It also increased the risk of other types of cancer by 18 per cent. The alarming part of the findings is that 100 ml is approximately only three ounces. To explain this further, one can of soda contains about 12 ounces. This means drinking an entire can daily could significantly increase your risk of the disease.

It is important to note this was an observational study and did not prove a direct link between sugar and cancer. However, because the sample was large, the team were able to take into account other risk factors like age, sex and smoking status. It also backs up previous studies' claims that sugar can be very harmful to our health.

"These data support the relevance of existing nutritional recommendations to limit sugary drink consumption, including 100% fruit juice, as well as policy actions, such as taxation and marketing restrictions targeting sugary drinks, which might potentially contribute to the reduction of cancer incidence," the team noted.

The study's findings were originally published in the British Medical Journal shows.