Sugar sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, fruit and vegetable juices and cancer risk: a World Cancer Research Fund International Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Background

Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs), artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs), and fruit and vegetable juices are consumed worldwide, yet their associations with cancer remain unclear.

Methods

Within World Cancer Research Fund International’s Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global), we conducted a systematic review by searching PubMed and Embase until September 2024 for cohort studies of SSBs, ASBs, and juices and cancer risk. Meta-analyses were conducted to calculate the relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs per 1 serving/day (355 mL for SSBs/ASBs; 177 mL for juices). Evidence was graded by the CUP Global Expert Panel. The CUP Global standard protocol was registered at: https://osf.io/7utbm/.

Findings

We identified 158 publications from 51 cohorts. There was evidence of a probable causal positive association for SSBs, including carbonated SSBs, with pancreatic cancer incidence (RR 1.09 [95% CI 1.01–1.16]; I2=8%, n=18 studies), and for SSBs with colorectal cancer incidence (RR 1.07 [95% CI 1.00–1.14]; I2=41%, n=13). Limited suggestive evidence supported positive associations of SSBs with ovarian (RR 1.61 [95%CI 1.03–2.53]; I2=0%, n=2), endometrial (RR 1.21 [95%CI 1.03-1.42]; I2=0%, n=3), and postmenopausal breast cancer incidence (RR 1.05 [95%CI 1.00-1.10] ; I2=0%, n=6), and of carbonated ASBs with leukaemia incidence (RR 1.29 [95%CI 1.01-1.64]; I2=0%, n=2). There was evidence of a probable causal positive association for orange juice with different types of skin cancer including melanoma (RR 1.21 [95%CI 1.08-1.34]; I2=0%, n=4), and basal (RR 1.12 [95%CI 1.06-1.17]; I2=46%, n=2) and squamous cell carcinoma (RR 1.13 [95%CI 1.04-1.24]; I2=0%, n=2). An interactive evidence platform is available at: https://teacup.cc.ic.ac.uk/soft-drinks-cancer.html.

Interpretation

This review provides evidence supporting probable causal associations of SSBs with pancreatic and colorectal cancers, and of orange juice with skin cancers, with additional suggestive evidence for SSBs with other obesity-related cancers, extending concerns about sugary drink consumption beyond cardiometabolic health to cancer risk.

Funding

World Cancer Research Fund network of charities (American Institute for Cancer Research; World Cancer Research Fund; Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds).