In the field of health and medicine, there is an important research finding that long-term and frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may have serious effects on liver health. In June 2022, scientists from the University of South Carolina, Harvard University and other research institutions published a study in Recent Developments in Nutrition that found that women who drank more than one serving of sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a 78% increased risk of liver cancer compared to women who drank no more than three sugar-covered drinks per month.
Why does drinking sugary drinks every day increase the risk of liver cancer?
1.The sugars in sugar-sweetened beverages are mainly simple sugars such as fructose and glucose, which are metabolized in the liver to produce pyruvate, which is further converted into lactic acid and fatty acids. Long-term high sugar intake can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, triggering fatty liver, which is a risk factor for liver cancer.
2.Excessive sugar intake in sugar-sweetened beverages can increase insulin resistance and promote the development of diabetes. Diabetic patients have insufficient insulin secretion and are unable to effectively use glucose, resulting in abnormal metabolism of fats and proteins, further increasing the burden on the liver and increasing the risk of liver cancer.
3.Sugars in sugar-sweetened beverages may also increase the risk of liver cancer by affecting the gut microbiota, inflammatory responses, and more. Some studies have shown that a high-sugar diet can lead to an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, affect the intestinal barrier function, and allow intestinal bacteria to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and endotoxemia, which in turn promotes the occurrence of liver cancer.
Here, we need to emphasize that the sugary drinks referred to here are not limited to carbonated drinks, fruit juice drinks, etc., but also include sweet soups, desserts and other foods that contain a lot of sugar.
Doctor advises. We can choose to drink plain water or weak tea as a daily drink. Plain water and weak tea water are not only healthy and harmless, but they also help the body maintain water balance.
In addition, we can also reduce the risk of liver cancer by adjusting our diet. Eating more fruits and vegetables, limiting the intake of staple foods, and choosing foods that are low in fat and sugar can help us maintain a healthy body. At the same time, regular physical examinations, paying attention to liver health, and early detection and improvement of liver diseases can also effectively reduce the risk of liver cancer.