My husband is 26 years old and drinks soft drinks regularly. I advised him to stop but he did not. Does this habit increase the risk of liver cancer in the long term? (Thanh Ngoc, Ho Chi Minh City)
Reply
Sugar includes natural sugars and added sugars. Natural sugars are found in fruits (fructose, glucose, etc.), milk and milk products (lactose). Added sugars are sugars and sweeteners added to foods during food preparation or processing. Most added sugars are found in beverages such as sugary soft drinks, cakes, and sweets.
A sugary beverage (also known as a soft drink) is any drink that has added sweeteners such as brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose, etc. Some common sugary beverages on the market include soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweetened tea or coffee.
When eating food (bread, rice, noodles), digestive enzymes in saliva, stomach and intestines help break down carbohydrates in these foods into glucose to nourish cells in the body. However, the body absorbs sugary foods directly without going through the metabolism process, causing blood sugar to increase rapidly.
High blood sugar levels stimulate the pancreas to increase insulin production, activating the growth factor IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) in the body. As a result, cells proliferate and develop faster, easily develop abnormalities, leading to the formation of malignant cells.
Hyperglycemia due to high sugar consumption leads to insulin resistance, the body forms fat cells that release cytokines that cause chronic inflammation, contributing to the development of cancer cells.
Sugar is an important source of energy in the body. However, a diet high in sugary foods, especially sugary soft drinks, can easily lead to overweight and obesity. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers (colorectal cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, etc.).
According to a study published in August 2023 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the habit of consuming more than 355 ml of sugary drinks per day is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer and death from chronic liver disease. The study also showed that the habit of consuming a lot of sugary drinks also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, this study only surveyed postmenopausal women and did not exclude other diets, so the results may be affected.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) advises people to limit their intake of sugary drinks or artificial sweeteners to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. Instead, drink plenty of water and unsweetened beverages.
The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) of added sugar per day and men consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories).
For example, if you drink a can of soda (equivalent to 355 ml), your body has consumed 8 teaspoons of added sugar (equivalent to 32 g).
To prevent cancer, your husband should limit his intake of soft drinks, have a balanced diet and maintain a suitable weight. The daily menu should increase green vegetables, tubers, fruits, reduce foods containing a lot of sugar to help reduce the risk of liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Patients being treated for liver cancer and cancers in general can consult with Oncology and Nutrition specialists to develop a suitable nutritional regimen.
Master, Doctor, Specialist I Ngo Tuan Phuc
Oncology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
| Readers ask cancer questions here for doctors to answer |
Source link
Comment (0)