Fruit slices: Abbey Littlejohn.
Gummy bears: Getty Images.
Key Takeaways
Americans love sugar, notably added sugars.
Photo:Fruit slices: Abbey Littlejohn. Gummy bears: Getty Images.
Is it possible that our outsized love for added sugars is feeding a cancer epidemic?
We dug into the science to find out.
In fact, eating too much added sugar is linked with chronic health issues liketype 2 diabetesand heart disease.
Not all added sugars are the same when it comes to cancer risk.
Fructose, particularly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, is uniquely problematic.
The Warburg effect underscores the critical role of sugar metabolism in cancer.
While normal cells can adapt to various fuel sources, cancer cells are far more dependent on glucose.
In fact, anti-inflammatory drugs are being explored as a means of treating cancer by shrinking tumors.
Impacts Insulin Production
Another way sugar affects cancer development is via unstable blood sugar and insulin levels.
Frequent blood sugar spikes and high insulin levels can create conditions where cancer thrives, says Hartnett.
All of this is linked with increased chronic inflammation and a higher risk of cancer.
Your gut microbiome doesnt just impact gut health; it also plays a big role in your immune health.
How Much Sugar Is Safe?
Most nutrition recommendations include limits for added sugars but not for total sugars.
Thats because sources of natural sugar like fruits and veggies are nutrient-dense and encouraged for overall health.
Different health organizations have slightly differentrecommendations for added sugars.
They recommend that no more than 6% of your calories come from added sugars.
Instead, they recommend eating an overall healthy diet with minimal added sugars.
Added sugar may appear on the list of ingredients as glucose, fructose, dextrose, sucrose or maltose.
Most ingredients that end with -ose are added sugars.
Tips for Reducing Sugar Intake
So, should you ditch sugar entirely to reduce your cancer risk?
The key is moderation, adds Baham.
So, how can you minimize sources of added sugar in your diet?
This can help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases.
That said, its important to note that added sugars arent the same as naturally occurring ones.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get the Facts: Added Sugars.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer Statistics.
2021;40(4):1691-1698. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2020.12.022
National Cancer Institute.Risk Factors for Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Common Questions About Diet, Activity, and Cancer Risk.
National Cancer Institute.New Clarity on the Warburg Effect.
2022;13:988481. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.988481
National Cancer Institute.Targeting Inflammation Emerges as a Strategy for Treating Cancer.
2022;20(9):1912-1924.e7.
doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2021.12.011
American Heart Association.Added Sugars.
American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Spotting Hidden Sugars in Everyday Foods.
USDA MyPlate.Cut Back on Added Sugars.
