Does a high sugar diet cause cancer?
No, high sugar intake does not cause cancer. This is a common myth in cancer nutrition.
Many patients with cancer are victims of misinformation--from Internet searches, non-expert clinicians or even advice from family and friends. Though this misinformation is often not mal-intended, it may cause inadvertent harm. Patients with cancer undergo a traumatic experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment; however, confusion about the “right” diet on top of scrutiny and judgment about their food choices from those around them may contribute to food insecurities. In light of this hardship, we invite you to review what the experts are saying about the role of sugar in cancer nutrition.
No, high sugar intake does not cause cancer. This is a common myth in cancer nutrition.
Many patients with cancer are victims of misinformation--from Internet searches, non-expert clinicians or even advice from family and friends. Though this misinformation is often not mal-intended, it may cause inadvertent harm. Patients with cancer undergo a traumatic experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment; however, confusion about the “right” diet on top of scrutiny and judgment about their food choices from those around them may contribute to food insecurities. In light of this hardship, we invite you to review what the experts are saying about the role of sugar in cancer nutrition.
To start, no studies have shown that sugar consumption will worsen your cancer or that a sugar-free diet will shrink your cancer, as affirmed by oncology dietitian Nichole Giller. What studies have shown, however, is that a high sugar diet may contribute to excess weight gain, and obesity, in turn, is linked with an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
Memorial Sloan Kettering President and CEO Craig Thompson, MD, an expert on cancer metabolism, reinforces this common misconception, recommending that patients maintain a healthy body weight and avoid excess carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates lacking fiber and other foods with added sugars. It is obesity that is a clear risk factor for cancer. Conversely, maintaining your weight before, during and after cancer therapy is essential, and this task requires sufficient caloric and protein intake. Dr. Thompson’s colleague Timothy J. Moynihan, MD, a cancer specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, reaffirms this position, debunking the link between sugar intake and cancer.
While there is no direct link between sugar and cancer, the American Cancer Society affirms that consumption of vegetables and fruits lowers cancer risk. Studies have pointed towards the rich source of phytochemicals within vegetables and fruits that may lower cancer risk, though the evidence has weakened recently with newer studies only demonstrating weak if any effects. Still, high intake of these foods may help lower the risk of developing obesity, and thus may indirectly lower the risk of developing certain types of cancers.
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