Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages every day has been associated with a higher risk of developing stomach cancer, according to a new study by researchers from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in the United States. The research found that people consuming at least one serving of a sugary drink each day had 2.45 times the risk of gastric cancer compared with those who consumed fewer than one serving per month. However, the researchers stressed that the findings show an association and do not prove that sugary drinks directly cause cancer.
The study was published in Gastro Hep Advances on August 17, 2026. Researchers examined long-term health and dietary information from 112,284 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Over the follow-up period, 278 participants developed gastric cancer. The beverages examined included sugar-sweetened drinks such as regular soft drinks, fruit punch and sports beverages.
What Did the Study Find?
After taking other potential risk factors into account, researchers found that participants who consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day had a 2.45-fold higher risk of gastric cancer than those who drank such beverages less than once a month. The association was observed in both men and women. Among women, daily consumption was associated with a 3.04-fold higher risk, while the corresponding figure among men was 1.99.
Senior author Andrew T. Chan said the study was the first to demonstrate an association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and gastric cancer in a U.S. population.
Researchers also examined fructose intake, since fructose is a major sweetener found in sugar-sweetened beverages. Higher total fructose intake was positively associated with gastric cancer incidence in the overall study population and among women.
What About Artificially Sweetened Drinks?
The researchers did not find a statistically significant association between artificially sweetened beverages and gastric cancer. However, this result does not mean that artificial sweeteners prevent stomach cancer or that they are completely free of health risks.
The findings add to earlier research examining possible links between sugar-sweetened beverages and other cancers, although evidence specifically involving gastric cancer has previously been limited.
Does Drinking Sugary Beverages Cause Stomach Cancer?
The study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It was an observational study, meaning researchers examined existing patterns in participants’ diets and health rather than assigning people to consume particular beverages.
The researchers also noted limitations in the available information, including limited data on participants’ Helicobacter pylori infection status and family history of stomach cancer. In addition, most participants were white Americans, so the findings cannot automatically be applied to populations in countries such as India.
Further research will be needed to confirm the association and better understand the biological mechanisms that may be involved.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general health and informational purposes only. The study reports an association and does not establish that sugar-sweetened beverages directly cause stomach cancer. Individual health risks can vary, and readers should consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice or concerns about diet and cancer risk.