If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you may have been told by friends or family that you should stay away from sugar or that sugar is linked to (or responsible for) your diagnosis.
While every cell in your body uses sugar for energy, even the cancerous ones, that doesn’t mean that sugar causes cancer or causes an existing cancer diagnosis to progress. Additionally, depriving cancer cells of sugar doesn’t slow their growth.
So what’s the relationship between sugar and cancer? The data on the direct connection between sugar and cancer is inconclusive and researchers believe it’s dependent on a variety of factors.
But here’s what we do know.
According to the NIH (National Cancer Institute), there’s no direct link between any specific food and its propensity to cause or prevent cancer; however, some foods and ingredients, like alcohol, can certainly increase your risk.
Excess sugar consumption is most commonly linked to conditions such as obesity, inflammation, and diabetes. If you’re eating more than you should on a daily basis, then you’re at a higher risk for weight gain and inflammation which in turn, puts you at a higher risk for cancer including breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society Guidelines for Diet and Physical Activity, at least 18% of all cancers and approximately 16% of cancer deaths in the U.S. are related to excess body weight, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition.
So, what does this mean for you? Maintain a healthy weight and avoid excess body fat by cutting down on sugar-sweetened beverages, highly processed foods, and diets high in added sugar, meats, and fat. Try to limit your alcohol consumption if you can.
Look to foods that are high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods to reduce your cancer risk. For more information, you can view the full guidelines here or watch our webinar with Rachel Beller, MS, RDN, on how to navigate nutrition after a cancer diagnosis.
Remember, you don’t need to take an all-or-nothing approach: moderation is key. Diet is just one aspect of a healthy lifestyle, exercise and other physiological factors are all things to consider. If you’re having trouble or need help managing your new lifestyle, reach out to your care team for advice or a referral to someone who can help you.
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