While we all know soda is not healthy, you may not know that according to a recent study, women who drank at least two sugary drinks a day more than doubled their chances of early onset Colorectal cancer. This is a rather startling statistic, as Americans consume almost 45 gallons of soda per person annually. Even worse? For those women that drank more than two sodas a day, increased their risk by 16% per additional soda. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of this study, and ways we can reduce our risk.Â
This particular study followed almost 95,000 RN’s all the way from 1995 to 2015. Those that increased their risk by consuming two or more sugary drinks a day, are compared to those at normal risk by consuming one sugary drink or less a week. This study also covered adolescent girls ages 13-18. They found that each sugary drink consumed, they increased their chances of early onset colon cancer by 32%. Adolescents should be encouraged to replace sugary drinks with milk, coffee, or tea as they found switching one sugary drink to one of these listed in adulthood had the potential to reduce risk by up to 36%. Another thing to note, while soda was the main source of sugary drinks consumed, this study by Nurses’ Health Study II, included sugary energy drinks as well, as many nurses count on them to get through their long shifts. It is also worth noting that the women studied were primarily ages 25-42, and those who consumed two or more sugary drinks a day were also found to be less physically active, use more anti-inflammatory drugs, consumed more meat, were less likely to take vitamins, and had poor diet overall lacking fiber, folate, and calcium. Of the volunteers that were followed 109 developed early onset Colorectal cancer.Â
So, we know that sugary drinks are bad, but how exactly does their consumption relate to poor health? For starters, when we consume sugary drinks, they activate a rapid blood glucose response which triggers insulin secretion. Overtime, as your body produces this response from the drinks can induce insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammation. All these factors are contributors to Colorectal cancer. These drinks also promote excess intake, leading to weight gain. Other contributing factors include intestinal dysbiosis caused by excess fructose consumption. This extra fructose impairs gut barrier function and promotes carcinogens. High fructose corn syrup has even been shown to promote growth of aggressive tumors in mice.
Interestingly enough, rates of Colorectal cancer have been on the decline in developing nations, but not here in the U.S. Those diagnosed before 50 have been steadily increasing over the last several decades. Comparatively, those born around 1950 to those born around 1990 had double the risk of colorectal cancer, and four times the risk of rectal cancer. By simply replacing sugary drinks with water, coffee, tea, or milk you can reduce your cancer risk. Those that were considered baseline in this study consumed only one soda or sugary drink a week. Moderation is the key to anything we really enjoy, and sugary drinks are no exception. Now that you know the potential risk, think twice before picking up that sugary drink.  Â
Want to check out the study for yourself? Click HERE!
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