The foods and beverages we consume influence many aspects of our health. While no single food causes or prevents disease, our daily habits can have a meaningful impact on long-term wellness. A recent 2026 study of more than 120,000 US adults found that individuals who consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily had a higher incidence of gastric (stomach) cancer compared with those who consumed less than one serving per month. Researchers also observed a similar association with higher fructose intake. It is important to note that this was an observational study, meaning it identified a relationship between sugary beverages and gastric cancer, but it does not prove that sugary drinks directly cause cancer.
- Smart Beverage Habits: Choose water as your primary beverage. Replacing soda, sweet tea, lemonade, energy drinks, and other sweetened beverages with water, mineral water, or unsweetened tea can significantly reduce added sugar intake.
- Think "unsweetened first”: When possible, choose coffee or tea without added sugar, or gradually reduce sweeteners. Add flavor to water naturally with lemon, lime, berries, cucumber, mint, or herbs to make hydration more appealing. Read ingredient labels to help identify hidden sources of added sugars, including high fructose corn syrup.
- Be mindful of "diet” beverages: This study did not find an association between artificially sweetened beverages and gastric cancer. However, research on artificial sweeteners and cancer remains inconclusive. Moderation and awareness of overall fluid intake are still important.
- Focus on your overall dietary pattern. Rather than look for a single "superfood” or solution, aim for a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and other minimally processed foods while limiting highly processed foods and excess added sugars.
Beverage choices are one part of an overall healthy lifestyle. While additional research is needed to better understand the relationship between sugary beverages and gastric cancer, this study gives us another reason to reduce routine sugary drinks.
Interested in evaluating your current nutrition habits or creating a personalized plan, contact Elayna Nunley, Houstonian Club Registered Dietitian, at
enunley@houstonian.com.
Research note: Evidence is still developing. Previous studies, including a large Japanese cohort study, did not find the same association between sugary beverage consumption and gastric cancer. More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made about cause and effect.
Tae-Geun Gweon, Jane Ha, Hanseul Kim, Mengxi Du, Mingyang Song, Andrew T. Chan,
Association Between Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverage Intake and Gastric Cancer Incidence,
Gastro Hep Advances,
Volume 5, Issue 11,
2026,
101097,
ISSN 2772-5723,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gastha.2026.101097.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772572326002189)