Minnesota health researchers have linked drinking soda with an almost double risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Researchers with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health said in a statement that people who drink soft drinks on a regular basis tend to have an overall poor health profile that may contribute to cancer risk, but the effects of soda on the pancreas may be unique.
The researchers followed 60,524 people in the Singapore Chinese Health Study for 14 years. In that time, 140 people developed pancreatic cancer. Those who drank two or more soft drinks a week had an 87 percent increased cancer risk compared with participants who drank fewer or no soft drinks, the scientists said.
Since Singapore is a wealthy country with what the researchers describe as excellent health care, the study’s authors said the findings should translate to western countries such as the United States.
