A new study links daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to a 2.45 times higher risk of stomach cancer, with researchers calling it the first U.S. population analysis of its kind. The findings, published in Gastro Hep Advances in August 2026, highlight a significant association between fructose-rich drinks and gastric cancer, though they stop short of proving causation.
Researchers analyzed data from 112,284 participants in long-term U.S. health studies, tracking beverage consumption and cancer outcomes over decades. Among the 278 individuals who developed stomach cancer, those who drank at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily faced a 2.45 times greater risk compared to those who consumed fewer than one per month. The risk was particularly pronounced for women, who saw a 3 times higher likelihood of developing the disease, while men faced a 2 times increase.
Fructose and Metabolic Risks: A Possible Link
The study, led by Dr. Andrew Chan of the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, attributes the heightened risk to fructose, a primary sweetener in sugary drinks. HealthDay notes that fructose may contribute to cancer risk through mechanisms like obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Gastric cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death worldwide, but we've known very little about how diet might contribute to this cancer,
Chan said, emphasizing the study’s significance as the first to demonstrate a U.S. population link between sugar-sweetened beverages and gastric cancer.
However, the research does not establish a direct causal relationship. The team observed that artificially sweetened drinks were not associated with increased risk, suggesting they may be a safer alternative. It’s possible that some of the mechanisms linking sugar-sweetened beverages to cancer, like the metabolic effects of fructose or calorie load contributing to weight gain, simply don’t apply to artificially sweetened beverages,
Chan explained.
Gender Disparities and Study Limitations
The study revealed stark gender differences. Women who drank sugary beverages daily had nearly three times the risk of stomach cancer compared to men, who faced a 2 times increase. Researchers speculated that hormonal or metabolic factors might explain this discrepancy, though the exact reasons remain unclear.
Despite its scale, the study has notable limitations. The participant pool was predominantly white health professionals, raising questions about generalizability to other demographics. Data on Helicobacter pylori infection, a known gastric cancer risk factor, was limited to a subset of 940 participants. The findings should not be interpreted as evidence that occasional fizzy drinks are dangerous,
the researchers cautioned, stressing that the increased risk was observed among daily consumers.
What This Means for Public Health
Health experts advise moderation.
The Road Ahead: Research and Policy Implications
Researchers call for further investigation to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms. The study also highlights the need for broader public health initiatives to reduce sugar consumption, particularly in populations with high rates of stomach cancer.
For now, the message is clear: while occasional sugary drinks may not pose an immediate threat, daily consumption appears to elevate risk. As Dr. Chan concluded, If this association holds up in future research, it means there may be a meaningful, actionable way for people to lower their risk of a cancer that is often diagnosed late and difficult to treat.
