A recent study found that the development of early onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) in women is closely related to consumption of sugar-flavored sodas. It turns out, sugar sweetened drinks increase risk of colon cancer in women. The study (which followed 41,000 women over 24 years of monitoring) found that adult women who drank two or more sugar-sweetened soda drinks per day double their risk of developing early onset colorectal cancer.

The beverages in question include soft drinks, pre-packaged fruit drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks. Of particular concern was that each daily serving of such beverages among girls from 13-18, may be linked to a 32% increase in the risk of developing early onset colon cancer. 

The incidence of such cancers in women under 50 years old has increased markedly in several wealthy countries. A 2020 article in a cancer journal stated that, over the course of a year, 150,000 U.S. individuals would be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and about 53,000 would die as a result. 

The study was part of the Nurses’ Health Study II, in which there was ongoing monitoring 96,000 participants from 1989 to 2020 as well as obtaining information from their adolescent years. The participants each provided information about their daily intake of food and beverages, as well as about other factors, including family history, lifestyle habits, and regular use of certain drugs and vitamins.          

As one study author said, in adolescents “the immaturity and rapidly growing organs could be more susceptible to exposures that could lead to cancer development.” Reducing sugar intake is generally a good idea anyways; here is yet more reason to do so. Watch out, Coke and Pepsi (and energy drinks), your days may be numbered if people understand how damaging those drinks can be to future health of those consuming them.