Sugary drink consumption and risk of cancer: results from NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective cohort study
PubMed 31292122 · doi:10.1136/bmj.l2408
What was done
Researchers analyzed data from 101,257 adult participants (mean age 42.2 years) in the French NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort study (2009–2017) over a median follow-up of 5.1 years. Beverage consumption (sugar-sweetened beverages, 100% fruit juices, and artificially sweetened beverages) was measured using repeated 24-hour dietary records. Multi-adjusted Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models accounting for competing risks evaluated associations with overall, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer incidence.
What was found
Across 2,193 total incident cancer cases, each 100 mL/day increase in sugary drink consumption was associated with an 18% higher risk of overall cancer (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 1.18, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.27, P<0.0001) and a 22% higher risk of breast cancer (693 cases, sHR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.39, P=0.004). Consumption of 100% fruit juice alone was also associated with overall cancer risk (sHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.23, P=0.007). Artificially sweetened beverages showed no significant association with cancer risk.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that both added-sugar beverages and 100% fruit juices may be modifiable dietary risk factors for cancer, supporting policy recommendations to limit liquid sugar intake.
Limits
The observational design cannot establish causality and remains vulnerable to residual confounding. The median follow-up of 5.1 years is relatively short for cancer latency. Dietary assessment relied on self-reported 24-hour records, and the cohort consisted of French volunteers who may not represent the general population.
Cited by
- supports A large French cohort study found that drinking 100 ml of sugary drinks per day is associated with an almost 20% increased risk of overall cancer.