Daily Sugary Fizzy Drinks May Be Linked to Higher Stomach Cancer Risk, Study Finds

A new study has raised questions about the possible connection between regularly drinking sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks and stomach cancer.

Researchers who followed more than 112,000 people for several decades found that participants who consumed at least one sugary drink each day had a substantially higher rate of stomach cancer than those who rarely consumed these beverages. However, the findings do not prove that fizzy drinks directly cause cancer, and experts say more research is needed.

The research has attracted attention because stomach cancer remains a serious health concern worldwide. In the UK, around 6,800 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, according to Cancer Research UK.

What did the study find?

Researchers analysed beverage consumption among 112,284 participants and divided people into groups according to how frequently they consumed sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks.

Sugar-sweetened beverages included regular fizzy drinks, lemonade, punches and sports drinks. Diet and other low-calorie drinks containing artificial sweeteners were assessed separately.

During the study period, 278 participants developed stomach cancer. Researchers reported that people who drank at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day had approximately 2.45 times the risk of developing stomach cancer compared with people who rarely consumed these drinks.

The association appeared to differ between men and women. Among women, daily consumption was associated with roughly three times the risk, while among men the increase was around twofold.

Importantly, the findings did not show a meaningful increase among people who consumed sugary fizzy drinks only a few times a week or a few times a month.

That means the research should not be interpreted as saying that drinking a single can automatically causes stomach cancer. Instead, the study identified an association between a regular daily habit and a higher observed risk.

What about diet fizzy drinks?

One of the more interesting findings involved artificially sweetened beverages.

The researchers did not find the same apparent increase in stomach cancer risk among participants who consumed artificially sweetened drinks. However, this does not necessarily mean diet drinks are completely risk-free or that they provide health benefits.

The researchers noted that understanding the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners remains an evolving area of research.

It is therefore too early to conclude that switching from sugary drinks to artificially sweetened alternatives completely eliminates any potential concerns.

Why could sugary drinks be linked to cancer?

Scientists do not yet know exactly why sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with a higher rate of stomach cancer in this research.

Several possible explanations have been suggested.

Regular consumption of sugary drinks can contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain. Higher body weight is associated with changes in metabolism and hormone activity, which could potentially influence cancer risk.

Researchers have also suggested that high sugar intake may be connected with insulin-related changes, inflammation or alterations in the bacteria living in the digestive system.

Another possibility involves fructose, a type of sugar found naturally in fruit and also used in some sweetened beverages.

The study found that higher fructose consumption was also associated with increased stomach cancer rates. However, researchers could not establish whether fructose itself was responsible for the association.

This distinction is important because observational research can identify patterns without proving what caused them.

Stomach cancer has several established risk factors

Sugary drinks are not the only factor that may influence a person's chances of developing stomach cancer.

According to the NHS, the risk can be affected by age, sex, family history and certain medical conditions.

Long-term infection with Helicobacter pylori, commonly known as H. pylori, is an established risk factor. Some chronic stomach conditions, including gastritis and severe acid reflux, can also increase risk.

Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are among other lifestyle factors that have been associated with stomach cancer.

Age is another consideration. Stomach cancer becomes more common as people get older, and men are generally at greater risk than women.

These factors mean that cancer risk is complicated and cannot usually be attributed to one food or drink alone.

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer can cause symptoms that are easy to confuse with common digestive problems.

Possible symptoms include persistent indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, nausea, frequent burping and feeling unusually full after eating a small amount.

Some people may also experience a reduced appetite, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, upper abdominal pain or a lump in the upper part of the abdomen.

Having these symptoms does not mean someone has stomach cancer. Many can be caused by much more common conditions.

However, the NHS advises people to speak with a GP if symptoms are persistent, become worse or represent a noticeable change from what is normal for them.

Should you stop drinking fizzy drinks?

The study does not mean everyone who enjoys an occasional soft drink needs to panic.

The strongest association in the research involved people consuming sugar-sweetened drinks every day. People who drank them only occasionally did not show the same meaningful increase in risk.

Nevertheless, reducing sugary drinks can be a sensible choice for several established health reasons. Regular consumption can add substantial amounts of free sugar to the diet and may contribute to weight gain and dental problems.

Replacing some sugary beverages with water or other lower-sugar options can be a straightforward way to reduce sugar intake.

The key point is moderation rather than fear. Current evidence does not support the claim that drinking one can of a sugary fizzy drink will inevitably lead to stomach cancer.

More research is needed

The researchers themselves stressed the need for further investigation.

Because the study was observational, it can show that two factors occur together but cannot establish that one directly causes the other. Participants may also differ in other ways that influence cancer risk, including diet, lifestyle, weight, medical history and other health behaviours.

Future studies will be needed to determine whether the relationship remains after accounting for additional factors and to investigate the biological mechanisms that could potentially explain the association.

For now, the findings add to a growing body of research examining how everyday dietary habits may influence long-term health.

The bottom line

Daily consumption of sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks was associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer in a large observational study. The reported association was particularly notable among people drinking these beverages every day, while artificially sweetened drinks were not associated with the same increase.

However, association does not equal causation. More research is required before sugary fizzy drinks can be described as a direct cause of stomach cancer.

For people concerned about their health, reducing sugary drinks, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, moderating alcohol intake and discussing persistent digestive symptoms with a healthcare professional are more useful steps than becoming alarmed by a single study.

Sources: The Sun's report published August 21, 2026; the study published in Gastro Hep Advances; NHS information on stomach cancer; Cancer Research UK statistics and information on stomach cancer.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It is based on the research and sources available at the time of writing. A reported association between two factors does not prove that one causes the other. If you have persistent, worsening or unusual symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.