Drinking one can of sweetened beverages such as Coke a day increases the risk of oral cancer by five times
Mar 14, 2025
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A joint research team at the University of Washington in the U.S. recently published a paper on 162,602 women 'The association of high sugary drink consumption and oral cancer in smoking and non-smoking women' in the famous journal 『JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery』.
The researchers investigated the frequency of oral cancer among about 20,000 women who drank more than one can of sweetened drinks a day.
As a result, women who said they drank more than one can of sweetened beverages a day were 4.87 times more likely to develop oral cancer than women who drank less than one cup a month.
Non-smokers or light smokers, non-drinking or light drinking participants were found to be 5.46 times higher.
In response, the research team estimated that there would be a connection with 'high fructose corn syrup (liquid fructose)'.
In general, 'hyperfructose corn syrup', which is added to sweetened beverages, is a type of sugar associated with gum disease.
The research team explained that "'Syrup can interfere with the collection of bacteria in the mouth, potentially causing changes in cells that can become inflammatory and cancerous.'"
However, the research team said it is unclear exactly how sugary drinks can cause oral cancer and is an area that requires further research.
In addition, "There is a limitation that this result may appear differently in men in that the study was conducted on women."
On the other hand, oral cancer refers to malignant tumors that occur on the tongue, bottom of the tongue, cheek mucosa, gums, roof of mouth, furrow triangle, lips, jawbone, etc. of the mouth.
Among the cancers in the oral cavity, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer. In addition, salivary adenocarcinoma of the small salivary glands of the oral mucosa, sarcoma of soft tissues such as jawbones or muscles of the face, malignant melanoma of the oral mucosa, cheek mucosa, gums, etc. occur.
According to the National Cancer Information Center, oral cancer risk factors include smoking, drinking, viruses, radiation or ultraviolet rays, eating habits and nutritional deficiencies, and genetic sensitivity.
In particular, many studies have been conducted on whether human papillomavirus (HPV), known as the cause of cervical cancer, is related to oral cancer, and until now, the association with oral cancer is not well understood, but human papillomavirus is found in about 15 to 50% of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
