Some people have been quick to promote a causal link between one particular food and cancer (Image: Getty Images)
The interest in the link between diet and cancer remains high, particularly among those who have been affected by the disease.
And one common claim many people hear concerns one particular food that people say is “causing” cancer, or “feeding” cancer in those who have the disease. However, no scientific evidence supports either of these claims.
That said, it is important to acknowledge that excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain, which, like any food resulting in a calorie surplus, may increase the likelihood of cancer.
Countering the myths around sugar and cancer, Nichole Andrews, an experienced cancer dietitian and registered dietitian nutritionist, : “As a cancer dietitian, let me clarify: sugar, all on its own, will not cause cancer, have your cancer grow quicker, have it return or have it slow in growth when you remove it [from your diet].”
Nichole highlights that the concern regarding sugar is if someone has a diet excessive in sugar consumption, which can in turn lead to weight and fat tissue gain factors that do elevate cancer risk. However, sugar is not the only food that causes weight gain if consumed excessively.
Separately, Nichole highlights two foods which are known to cause cancer, .
Nichole’s stance is corroborated by other authoritative bodies. Cancer Research UK has debunked the misconception that sugar feeds cancer, terming it a “myth”, reports .
The organisation clarifies on its website: “There’s a lot of information online about sugar and cancer, but not much of it is based on scientific evidence. There is a common myth that sugar is responsible for cancer developing, or that it even fuels cancer to grow bigger. But this myth came from an over-simplification of some complicated biology.”
It continues: “Cancer cells usually grow quickly, multiplying at a fast rate, and that requires a lot of energy. That means they need lots of glucose. Here’s where the myth that sugar fuels cancer was born: if cancer cells need lots of glucose, then cutting sugar out of our diet must help stop cancer growing, and could even stop it developing in the first place, right?
“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. All of our healthy cells need glucose too, and there’s no way of telling our bodies to let healthy cells have the glucose they need without also giving it to cancer cells. And cancer cells also need lots of other nutrients too, like amino acids and fats; it’s not just sugar they crave.”
Additionally, the site states: “There’s no evidence that following a ‘sugar-free’ diet lowers the risk of getting cancer, or that it boosts the chances of surviving if you are diagnosed.”
Cancer Council, the main cancer charity in Australia, says: “There is no evidence that consuming sugar makes cancer cells grow faster or cause cancer. Sugar is not a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance.”
But the organisation does caution that “over-consumption of sugar, particularly added sugars in processed beverages and foods, can contribute to obesity which is an important risk factor for cancer.”
A 2022 report from the USA’s National Center for Biotechnology Information states: “Evidence from epidemiologic and preclinical studies demonstrates that excess sugar consumption can lead to development of cancer and progression of disease for those with cancer independent of the association between sugar and obesity.”
The takeaway is relatively straightforward for the time being: sugar itself doesn’t cause cancer. It’s the excessive intake of sugar, potentially leading to weight gain, which heightens the cancer risk. As ever, moderation and balance are instrumental in a healthy diet.