Sugary drinks and cancer: Is there a link?

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) –

Local researchers delve into the association between cancer and sugary drinks.

“I certainly think that research in that regard is not explored enough, or thought of about. I myself don’t drink too many sugary drinks,” said local student Jonathan Bray.

“And it leads to obesity, right, so that could also be another factor to consider or diabetes,” said student Catherine Starks.

Researchers believe that a lot of the sugar that we consume comes from sugary drinks.

“An average 12-ounce can of soda, sugary beverage, has 16 teaspoons of sugar,” said Dr. Melinda Sothern, a professor of public health at LSU Health New Orleans.

Experts say nothing about consuming large amounts of added sugar is good for the body.

“When a person ingests sugar, especially added sugar, sugar over and above what they should have, the body is signaled to alter its metabolism to try to use that sugar as a fuel, so insulin levels change” said Sothern.

A study by researchers at LSU Health New Orleans resulted in eye-opening findings about the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and cancer.

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