Sugar-sweetened beverages have been unhealthy for decades, but a new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery suggests that the effects may be even worse than weight gain and cavities. Women who drink one or more sugar-sweetened beverages regularly are estimated to be almost five times more likely to develop oral cancer than women who use them rarely.
Researchers compared medical histories of more than 162,000 women, of whom 124 had oral cavity cancer (OCC). The findings were startling: weekly drinkers of sweet beverages had a 4.87-fold higher risk of OCC. Even women who didn’t smoke or drink, a pair of known cancer risks, weren’t in the clear. In fact, among non-smokers and non-drinkers, frequent drinkers of sweet beverages had more than a 5.4-fold higher risk of oral cancer.
The Possible Role of Sugar in Cancer
So, what is the cause of this shocking link? Sugar can cause chronic inflammation in your mouth as well as tooth decay, experts say. Inflammation and oral microbiome changes caused by sugar can foster the growth of cancerous cells, explains Dr. Brittany Barber, a professor at the University of Washington and one of the study’s lead researchers.
Those are the kinds of concerns raised by New Jersey oral surgeon Dr. Jason Auerbach. He clarified that because sugar-sweetened beverages contain a lot of sugar and acid, they damage oral tissues and shift cellular function. Those shifts can potentially become much more than a sore tooth down the line.
In addition, excessive sugar may exacerbate insulin resistance, which can increase IGF-1 levels, a hormone associated with the growth of cancer cells.
A Call to Action for Women
Men had previously been more susceptible to cancer of the oral cavity, especially if they were alcohol or tobacco users. This current study, however, reveals a worrisome trend: an increase in OCC cases among women who are outside of the usual risk groups.
Auerbach went on, “This adds a modifiable risk factor, something that people can control.” This indicates how significant the findings are for the general population.
What Are You Able To Do?
Experts say you do not need to eliminate soda from your diet. However, as always, moderation is key. Reducing the amount of sugary beverages you consume and replacing these drinks with water or unsweetened beverages can substantially reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and oral cancer. In addition, Dr. Auerbach recommends that a person see a dentist regularly and look for sore spots, pain, or lumps in unusual places in the mouth. He repeated that oral cancer treatment starts with early detection.
The connection between sugary beverages and the hazard of oral cancer is one to heed as an indicator, but more studies are needed to establish causation. A dietary adjustment could save many women’s lives.
