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11/07/2019

Study Claims Cancer Risk Increase From Consuming Sugary Drinks, including Fruit Juice




Study Claims Cancer Risk Increase From Consuming Sugary Drinks, including Fruit Juice
A study by French scientists has claimed that the risk of contracting cancer could be increased by consumption of sugary drinks such as orange juice or soda.
 
Consuming of sugary soft drinks — which includes 100% fruit juice — was “significantly associated with the risk of overall cancer”, said researchers of a study cdonducted by Sorbonne Paris Cite University which was published this Wednesday. The researchers found no association between increased cancer risks and artificially sweetened drinks such as diet soda.
 
The habits of a total of 101,257 adults were studied over a period of five years by the researcher in which they regularly monitored the intake of sugary and artificially-sweetened beverages by the participants.
 
Those beverages that contained over 5 per cent of sugar were defined as sugary drinks in the study and also included fruit juices which did not have any added sugar.
 
Over the five year period, the researchers found that 2,193 of the 101,257 adults were diagnosed with cancer which is the same as about 22 instances for every 1,000 people. The study noted that the majority of the cases were found to be among the younger participants who were in the habit of regularly consuming sugary drinks.
 
But in order to significance of their findings, there is need for further investigations, the report’s authors noted.
 
“These results need replication in other large scale prospective studies. They suggest that sugary drinks, which are widely consumed in Western countries, might represent a modifiable risk factor for cancer prevention,” they said.
 
The researchers further said that existing recommendations to limit sugary drink consumption would is supported by their findings. Outcomes would also support policy measures such as additional taxation and marketing curbs on sugary drinks.
 
A number of the leading soft drinks companies were working together help consumers reduce their sugar consumption, a spokesperson for the American Beverage Association (ABA) told CNBC in an emailed response. “It’s important for people to know that all beverages, either with sugar or without, are safe to consume as part of a balanced diet,” she said.
 
Soft drinks were safe to consume as part of a balanced diet, claimed Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association — which includes the two largest drinks makers such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in a response to the media over the issue. “This study reports a possible association between higher consumption of sugary drinks and an increased risk of cancer, but does not provide evidence of cause, as the authors readily admit,” he said. “The soft drinks industry recognizes it has a role to play in helping to tackle obesity which is why we have led the way in calorie and sugar reduction.”
 
In recent years, there has been increasing pressure on soda manufacturing companies over demands to reduce sugar levels in their drinks. Further, measures to reduce public consumption of sugary drinks are also being taken by authorities around the world.
 
(Source:www.cnbc.com)

Christopher J. Mitchell

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