Recent research has brought to light the detrimental effects of sugary beverages, such as artificially flavored juices, regular (non-diet) pop, sports drinks, and sweetened coffees and teas, on our health. These drinks, collectively known as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), have been linked to a range of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, and gout.
SSBs contain a lot of fructose and glucose, two types of calorie-carrying sugar needed as a source of energy for bodily functions. Scientific studies have linked the intake of SSBs with the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer. However, understanding the potential effects of SSB consumption on the growth and progression of colorectal cancer remains unclear. However, a recent study published in Nature Metabolism shows that SSBs may be helping cancer spread through metastasis.
The researchers exposed colorectal cancer cells to a substance containing fructose and glucose. The sugary formulation mimicked both high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose, the primary sources of fructose and glucose in SSBs, respectively.
In a controlled laboratory environment, researchers subjected 13 different types of colorectal cancer cells to fructose, glucose, or a combination of both, and then closely monitored their growth. This diverse collection of cell lines, each representing a different mutation, was chosen to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how various cancer cells respond to sugar exposure.
The study found that the colorectal cancer cells’ ability to move, a biological function known as “migration,” increased after exposure to fructose and glucose compared to exposure to glucose alone. While the researchers conducted this work solely in a preclinical setting, these findings provide the first evidence of a link between colorectal cancer metastasis and the sugars found in SSBs.
These findings underscore the urgent need for dietary interventions post-diagnosis. It is crucial that we review and educate current patients on the potential benefits of dietary changes, particularly in relation to the negative impact of SSBs on colorectal cancer progression.
Sources: Eur J Public Health, Gut, Nat Metab, MD Anderson