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Loading...Yet Another Reason to Avoid Soda: Prostate Cancer
Men: if you’re partial to sipping your favorite soda, be aware that according to a 15-year study just one fizzy drink a day might raise your chances of developing aggressive prostate cancer.
The study, carried out by Swedish scientists, tracked the health of more 8,000 men aged 45-73 over a 15 year span. All were screened prior to the study’s commencement to ensure they were all in relatively the same good health. Participants were made to track their daily eating habits. At the end of the study this data was analyzed.
What the scientists discovered was quite alarming. Those men who on average drank just one 330-millilitre soft drink a day appeared 40 percent more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer. Noteworthy too, that the cancer was not picked up during standard screening but was diagnosed after the participants showed symptoms of prostate problems, including having difficulty passing urine.
The study showed other possible links between certain foods and increased cancer risk.
Thirty-one percent of subjects who ate large quantities of rice and pasta develop a milder form of prostate cancer, while those who frequently ate cakes, biscuits and sugary breakfast cereals went on to develop nonfatal prostate cancers at a rate 38 percent higher than their counterparts. Interestingly, no risk association was found when it came to high fruit juice consumption.
The researchers stressed that one of the most important factors in risk-association was genetics. However, they noted this research would appear to suggest that dietary factors could play a stronger role than previously thought in terms of men developing prostate cancer.
The researchers, however, did not examine directly which men had a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer and then differentiate test subjects on that basis and examine their health outcomes. This will be a task for further study.
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, is quoted as being cautious about ascribing cancer-causing status in this manner: ”We cannot be certain whether any particular dietary pattern has a significant impact on a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer but it is highly unlikely that any single food source will lead to an increased chance of developing the disease.”
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men. It is estimated that some 241,740 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US this year, with 28,170 men dying of prostate cancer by the end of 2012. Prostate cancer accounts for a quarter of all newly diagnosed cancers in men, however most won’t develop prostate cancer until they are 70 or older. Prostate cancer remains fairly rare in those below 40.
There are of course plenty of other reasons to drop soft drinks from your diet. Previous studies have found that soft drinks–and in particular their high concentrations of sugar–may cause increased heart disease risk, an elevated stroke risk, the potential for long-term liver damage, increased rates of diabetes and more.
Maybe just a glass of water then?
Related Reading:
Pepsi Unleashes So-Called ‘Fat Blocking’ Soda on Japan
Soda Companies Have Contracts with Most American Schools
Can’t Lose Weight? Soda’s Dirty Little Secret
Read more: health risks soda consumption, health risks sugar, prostate cancer, soda, soda consumption
Image credit: Thinkstock.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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How 'bout ALL ... or boycott. Too much to ask?
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76 comments
+ add your ownGood info,thanks.
Thank you for info, scary, glad I dont drink soda.
Thank you for info, scary, glad I dont drink soda.
Carbonation is not a healthy thing for men AND women. Soda is not a healthy thing for any one of any age, be it diet or regular. There are healthy alternatives to drink. Water, fresh fruit juice, low fat milk, green tea, just to name a few. Make better choices. Be wise- be healthy and enjoy the gift of life !!
And my husband's family complained when I didn't purchase any sodas for the Christmas gathering. I offered water and iced green tea (and there was wine and beer). When I explained that soda has been proven to 'rot your guts out', they gave me a funny look. Of course, these are also the people who eat off styrofoam plates that they've heated up in the microwave....I give up. I just give my family re-usable plates, cups, silverware, and water, tea, or lemonade to drink. What do I know? Thanks for the article.
I only drinks 3 soda's a week usually, so I should be good. No one can avoid everything that causes cancer.
Well, that's good to know -- I just opened a Mountain Dew, and it only feels like I have an enlarged prostate sometimes! This study seems to extend to other carbs/ sweets almost as much, but I'm exhausted and may be entirely wrong.
Thank you.
Not surprising, thanks for posting
good to know.
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