Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Linked to Higher Liver Cancer Risk: JAMA
USA: Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an increased risk of liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a new study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed. In contrast, intake of artificially sweetened beverages showed little evidence of an association with overall liver cancer risk or its specific subtypes.
The study was conducted by Cody Z. Watling of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland, and colleagues. The researchers investigated whether consumption of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) influences the risk of developing liver cancer, including its two major forms—hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).
Artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened beverages are widely consumed across the globe. Previous research has linked these drinks to metabolic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are recognized risk factors for liver cancer. However, evidence examining the relationship between beverage intake and specific liver cancer subtypes has remained limited and inconsistent.
To address this gap, the investigators performed a pooled analysis of 11 prospective cohort studies, including 10 cohorts from the United States and one from Europe. The analysis involved 1,518,411 adults who had no history of cancer at the time of enrollment. Participants were recruited between 1980 and 2009 and followed for up to several decades, with follow-up periods extending through 2019 in some cohorts.
Beverage intake was assessed at baseline using validated food-frequency questionnaires. The researchers evaluated the impact of each additional daily serving of ASBs and SSBs on the risk of liver cancer.
The study led to the following findings:
- Over a median follow-up period of 17.8 years, researchers identified 2,811 new liver cancer cases, including 1,699 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and 444 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
- Increased intake of artificially sweetened beverages was not associated with the risk of liver cancer overall, HCC, or ICC.
- Each additional sugar-sweetened beverage consumed per day was associated with a 10% higher risk of HCC.
- Each additional daily serving of SSB was also associated with a 15% higher risk of ICC.
- SSB intake was linked to an increased risk of liver cancer subtypes, even after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and other potential confounding factors.
- The associations between beverage consumption and liver cancer risk did not differ according to participants' diabetes status.
The researchers noted limitations, including self-reported beverage intake and diabetes status, single-time assessments, limited data on underlying liver disease, and incomplete information on hepatitis B and C infections.
Overall, higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, whereas artificially sweetened beverages were not linked to liver cancer risk. The findings support limiting sugar-sweetened beverage intake as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Reference:
Watling CZ, Zhao L, Zhang X, et al. Artificially Sweetened and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Risk of Liver Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(6):e2617754. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.17754
Next Story