Study.. Daily Consumption of Sugary Drinks May Increase Risk of Early-Onset Colon Cancer in Young People

Colon cancer is considered the second most deadly type of cancer due to the difficulty of diagnosing it and its rapid spread in the colon and rectum. Dietary habits also play a direct role in the likelihood of developing the disease at an early age.

A recent study published in the scientific journal Gut found that regular consumption of sugary beverages such as sodas, sports drinks, and flavored drinks significantly increases the risk of developing the disease before the age of 50, particularly among women and young people.

According to the study, which followed 95,464 participants over a period of 24 years, consuming two or more servings per day increases the risk by 16% for each serving, while the risk may rise to 32% when the habit begins during adolescence.

Researchers also indicated that replacing these beverages with artificially sweetened alternatives, coffee, or milk could reduce the risk by 36%, making sugar reduction an effective preventive strategy, despite the observational nature of the study.

The report also stressed the importance of monitoring warning symptoms, including persistent changes in bowel habits, the presence of blood in the stool, or abdominal pain and bloating after eating that may lead to loss of appetite and weight.

These findings highlight the need to pay close attention to dietary habits from an early age to avoid complications of the disease, especially given the clear link between high sugar consumption and the early onset of the disease among participants.