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Sweetened Soft Drinks Get Connected to Pancreatic Cancer

Posted 3:58 PM 02/08/10 , ,
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Add Coke and Pepsi to the ever-expanding list of foods and drinks that could possibly increase the risk of cancer. A 14-year study of 60,500 Singaporeans found that those who drank two or more soft drinks per week had nearly double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention reveals. Those who drink sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks were 87% likelier to develop pancreatic cancer than those who don't.

The pancreas produces hormones including insulin, which controls levels of blood sugar, and enzymes that help digest food. The researchers believe soft drinks' high sugar content may increase insulin levels -- which may be linked to the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer, although rare, is one of the deadliest forms of cancer: Only 5% of those diagnosed live more than five years, according to the American Cancer Society. Patrick Swayze died from the disease in September, and it has also afflicted Apple (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs.

Some critics argue that it's hard to isolate the cause of increased cancer risk. Those who drink sweetened carbonated beverages may also smoke or have poor nutrition, both factors that could affect cancer risk. Still, studies like these have fueled initiatives to remove junk food from schools. The Obama administration intends to "begin a drive this week to expel Pepsi, French fries and Snickers bars from the nation's schools in hopes of reducing the number of children who get fat during their school years," The New York Times reports.

Scientists believe the overall risk is small, even to soft drink fans, but 24/7Wallst points out that the study could add to Coca-Cola's (KO) and PepsiCo's (PEP) challenges amidst recent public drives toward healthier eating habits. Indeed, both companies have expanded their product lines to offer healthier products. The study also examined fruit juice but found no link between drinking juice and developing pancreatic cancer.
Melly Alazraki

Melly Alazraki

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Stock Market Writer and Analyst

Melly Alazraki is a ten-year veteran of the financial world, working internationally for both sell and buy side firms. She's been a contributing editor with BloggingStocks for nearly four years and writes about the stock market and pharmaceutical industry for DailyFinance.

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COMMENTS ( 75 )
Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >>
NastyPuppy
4:34PM Feb 9 2010 
does that include diet soda? or coke zero?
  Reply Rate This Comment
(0 RATINGS)
NastyPuppy
4:34PM Feb 9 2010 
does that include diet soda? or coke zero?
  Reply Rate This Comment
(0 RATINGS)
SBoth17137
8:00AM Feb 9 2010 
There was a thirty year study done but I am sorry I can not recall who the doctor was.
But after thirty years of study and had data they concluded that cancer can not grow without suger.
The way I understand it is cancer needs suger to grow .
Its not sode pop its suger its that cookie or cake or ice cream not just soda.
This is not some theroy it comes from thirty years of hard data.
There are ways to beat it with diet changes as extream as they may be.
Do yourself a favor if you or someone you know has cancer just check it out what do you have to lose?
  Reply Rate This Comment
(1 RATINGS)
Kv37
7:55AM Feb 9 2010 
Carbonated soft drink consumption is way down in the states. People finally caught on.
  Reply Rate This Comment
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Goringm14
7:25AM Feb 9 2010 
Now I would think diabetes would be right up there with cancer. High blood pressure too. the list goes on.
  Reply Rate This Comment
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dterraman
5:40AM Feb 9 2010 
who hasn`t known this for 35 years?
  Reply Rate This Comment
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creativeCathy22
4:59AM Feb 9 2010 
Hate to make you feel even more down, but we actually do consume benzene - as sick as that sounds. Benzene can actually be found in sodas (if this article wasn't enough to not drink soda any more) and it is found in dyes. :S

Benzene in sodas results from decarboxylation of the preservative benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) especially under heat and light.

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene_in_soft_drinks

Of course, our government and FDA have failed to mention these important facts.
  Reply Rate This Comment
(0 RATINGS)
creativeCathy22
4:59AM Feb 9 2010 
Hate to make you feel even more down, but we actually do consume benzene - as sick as that sounds. Benzene can actually be found in sodas (if this article wasn't enough to not drink soda any more) and it is found in dyes. :S

Benzene in sodas results from decarboxylation of the preservative benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) especially under heat and light.

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene_in_soft_drinks

Of course, our government and FDA have failed to mention these important facts.
  Reply Rate This Comment
(0 RATINGS)
creativeCathy22
4:59AM Feb 9 2010 
Hate to make you feel even more down, but we actually do consume benzene - as sick as that sounds. Benzene can actually be found in sodas (if this article wasn't enough to not drink soda any more) and it is found in dyes. :S

Benzene in sodas results from decarboxylation of the preservative benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) especially under heat and light.

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene_in_soft_drinks

Of course, our government and FDA have failed to mention these important facts.
  Reply Rate This Comment
(0 RATINGS)
creativeCathy22
4:59AM Feb 9 2010 
Hate to make you feel even more down, but we actually do consume benzene - as sick as that sounds. Benzene can actually be found in sodas (if this article wasn't enough to not drink soda any more) and it is found in dyes. :S

Benzene in sodas results from decarboxylation of the preservative benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) especially under heat and light.

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene_in_soft_drinks

Of course, our government and FDA have failed to mention these important facts.
  Reply Rate This Comment
(0 RATINGS)
Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >>
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