The convenience of grabbing a chilled soft drink or a sweetened iced tea on a hot day is one of life’s simple pleasures. However, a recent study has sent shockwaves through the health community, suggesting that this seemingly innocuous habit could have dire consequences. According to American researchers, indulging in just one can of sugar-laden beverage each day could significantly increase the risk of developing mouth cancer.
The study, which scrutinised the dietary habits of over 160,000 women, revealed a startling correlation: those who frequently consumed sugar-sweetened beverages faced a risk of mouth cancer that was five times greater than those who limited their intake to less than one per month. This finding is particularly concerning given the mysterious uptick in mouth cancer cases, especially among women, in recent years.
While the study’s authors have called for more research to solidify these findings, they also urge policymakers to consider these results as a compelling reason to reduce sugar consumption in our diets. The exact brands of soft drinks, lemonades, and iced teas consumed were not specified in the study, but the common denominator was the high sugar content.
Participants in the study self-reported their beverage consumption through surveys conducted every four years. The researchers then compared this data with mouth cancer diagnoses, identifying 124 cases over the 30-year study period. Women who reported drinking one or more sugary beverages daily were 4.87 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than those who drank less than one per month.
Alarmingly, this increased risk persisted even among women who did not smoke or drink alcohol regularly—two factors traditionally associated with a higher risk of mouth cancer. Approximately 20,000 women in the study reported consuming more than one sugary drink per day. It’s worth noting that the study did not consider the intake of diet drinks, which contain artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.
The researchers were quick to point out that the overall risk of mouth cancer remains low. However, the increased risk associated with sugary drinks could result in an additional three cases per 100,000 people. The exact mechanism by which these beverages might trigger mouth cancer is still unclear, but the scientists suggest that ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, which is linked to gum disease, could be a contributing factor. This syrup, along with other sugars, may disrupt the oral microbiome, leading to inflammation and cellular changes that could become cancerous.
Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in mouth cancers among non-smokers, a group previously considered at lower risk. While some theories suggest that the human papillomavirus (HPV) spread through oral sex could be a factor, the precise cause of many cases remains a mystery.
The study’s authors plan to conduct further research on a larger and more diverse population to validate their findings. They acknowledge that since the study focused solely on women, the results may not be directly applicable to men.
Symptoms of mouth cancer include non-healing mouth ulcers, hoarseness, unexplained lumps, and difficulty swallowing. In the UK, around 12,500 cases of mouth and throat cancers are diagnosed annually, with HPV being the cause of 70% of these cases, according to Charity Cancer Research UK. The Oral Health Foundation reported a 61% increase in mouth cancer deaths in the UK in 2023 compared to a decade earlier.
Access to dental care is crucial, as dental check-ups are often where early cases of mouth cancer are detected. Delays in diagnosis can lead to more advanced, difficult-to-treat stages of the disease. NHS guidelines recommend limiting free sugar intake to 30g per day, yet a single 330ml can of classic Coca-Cola contains 35g of sugar. Excessive sugar consumption not only increases the risk of mouth cancer but also contributes to obesity, which is linked to various cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
As research continues to shed light on the potential health risks associated with sugar consumption, it’s important to stay informed and make mindful choices about our diets. While more studies are needed to fully understand the link between sugary drinks and mouth cancer, this study highlights another reason to consider moderation.
How do you balance enjoying your favourite drinks with maintaining a healthy lifestyle? What are your go-to alternatives to sugary beverages? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: Edwina Bartholomew’s cancer journey and the life re-think it sparked
So what is different? Just about every week they come up with something that causes cancer of some type and if we listened to them, we would die because we wouldn’t be eating, drinking or doing anything.