Sugars Found In Dairy ‘Significantly’ Increase Cancer Risk, Says Study

Sugars found in dairy products ‘significantly’ increase cancer risk, according to a new study. 

The study, published in The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, aims to determine the association between total and added sugar intake and cancer risk . Moreover, it takes into account different sugar types and sources.

More than 101,000 participants aged 18 and over took part in the cohort study. Their sugar intake was assessed using repeated and validated 24-hour dietary records.

Associations between sugar intake and cancer risk were assessed by Cox proportional hazard models. They were adjusted for known risk factors such as lifestyle and medical history. 

‘Higher overall cancer risk’

The study concludes that total sugar intake is associated with higher overall cancer risk. Moreover, breast cancer risks were increased, and results remained significant when weight gain was adjusted for. 

Significant associations with cancer risk were also observed for added sugars, free sugars, sucrose, sugars from milk-based desserts, dairy products, and sugary drinks.

‘An immediate cancer prevention’

Switch4Good is a dairy-free charity. Speaking about the study, it said: “Many people can consume dairy products and claim that they feel fine afterward. 

“They believe dairy is an essential part of their daily nutritional needs… That their health would suffer immensely without this bovine infant formula. 

“What they do not realize is that their dairy consumption could be setting them up for a disease-ridden future. 

“It’s often impossible to point to the exact thing that triggered cancerous disease. But, it is easy to put simple risk-reducing practices in place. Ditching dairy is an immediate cancer prevention practice everyone can do.”

You can read the fully study here