To understand if sugar is a cause of cancer, we must first understand what sugar and cancer are in their most basic forms.

Sugar is a carbohydrate, commonly referred to by its chemical name of sucrose, and found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Cancer is a disease marked by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and can lead to tumors. As far back as 1924, people have speculated that sugar may cause cancer, with Dr. Otto Warburg publishing a paper on the subject.

This paper led to the concept of The Warburg Effect, which hypothesized that sugar supports the growth and survival of cancerous cells. However, it is crucial to note that sugar is needed for many processes in the body. In the food industry, sugar has many uses, from adding flavor and aroma to providing texture and volume. Although we can agree that overconsumption of sugar is bad, there is limited evidence to show a direct correlation between sugar and cancer.

For more information, visit EatDat.

References

  1. Eldridge, Lynne, M.D. (December 2019). The Link Between Sugar and Cancer. Retrieved October 2020 from https://www.verywellhealth.com/cancer-loves-sugar-myths-and-facts-430032.
  2. Liberti, M. and Locasale, J. (January 2016) The Warburg Effect: How Does It Benefit Cancer Cells? Retrieved October 2020 from Trends in Biomedical Science, Mitochondria & Metabolism, Volume 41 Pages 211-218.
  3. The Sugar Association. What Is Sugar? Retrieved October 2020 from https://www.sugar.org/sugar/what-is-sugar.
  4. What Is The Role of Sugar in the Food Industry? Retrieved October 2020 from https://www.eufic.org/en/whats-in-food/article/sugars-from-a-food-technology-perspective
  5. How is Sugar Used in the Body? Retrieved October 2020 from https://wsro.org/how-is-sugar-used-in-the-body/.
  6. What Causes Cancer? Retrieved October 2020 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes.html.
Kianne Campbell

Kianne is a Food & Bakery Scientist with 7+ years of experience in the industry supporting brands such as DiGiorno pizza, Toll House cookie dough, and Buitoni pasta. Kianne holds a B.S. in Bakery Science and Management from Kansas State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Kansas.