This Common Sugar Combo Could Be Fueling Cancer Spread: Study Finds - Video
Overview
A new study published in Nature Metabolism by researchers has uncovered alarming evidence that sugary drinks can actively fuel the spread of colorectal cancer. The study found that the combination of glucose and fructose—common ingredients in sweetened beverages—directly enhances cancer cell mobility and increases the risk of metastasis, particularly to the liver.
Sugary drinks, ranging from soft drinks and packaged fruit juices to energy drinks and so-called “health” beverages, are part of everyday consumption habits. The study zeroes in on how the unique mix of glucose and fructose, rather than either sugar alone, plays a dangerous role in cancer progression. Researchers observed that when colorectal cancer cells were exposed to this sugar duo, their ability to move and invade new organs significantly increased. Notably, this effect was not replicated with glucose or fructose in isolation.
Delving into the mechanism, the researchers identified the enzyme sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) as the key driver. The glucose-fructose mix activates SORD, which then boosts glucose metabolism and triggers the cholesterol synthesis pathway—a biological route that enhances cancer cell spread. This pathway is the same one targeted by statins, drugs typically used to lower cholesterol. When researchers suppressed SORD in preclinical models, cancer metastasis slowed, even with continued sugary drink intake.
Lead author Dr. Jihye Yun had previously shown that sugary drinks could fuel tumor growth independent of obesity. This new study strengthens that evidence by demonstrating that these drinks not only contribute to cancer development but also make existing tumors more aggressive.
The implications are especially concerning given that sugary drinks are widely consumed by both adults and children. The study reinforces the urgent need for public awareness and dietary change.
Reference: Feng, T., Luo, Q., Liu, Y. et al. Fructose and glucose from sugary drinks enhance colorectal cancer metastasis via SORD. Nat Metab (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01368-w
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