No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (2024)

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No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (1)

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (2)

Facebook posts

stated on April 10, 2022 in a video on Facebook:

“It’s been proven that sugar triggers and causes cancer. … So the best thing to do to prevent cancer is to avoid sugar.”

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (3)

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (4)
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No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (5)

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (6)

Granulated sugar is poured in Tigard, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP)

By Sara SwannApril 18, 2022

If Your Time is short

  • Health experts have not found a direct link between sugar in a person’s diet and cancer.

  • Consuming large amounts of sugar can lead to weight gain, putting a person at a higher risk of certain cancers and other diseases.

See the sources for this fact-check

There are many misconceptions about sugar consumption and cancer causes, as well as how the two relate to one another. One common myth found on social media is that sugar causes cancer.

"It’s been proven that sugar triggers and causes cancer," said Dr. Eric Berg in a 30-second video on Facebook. Berg, who describes himself as an expert on the keto diet and intermittent fasting, went on to say that sugar "in large amounts over a period of time" causes cancer.

"And the other thing that’s interesting about this is that cancer has an avid, greedy hunger for sugar. It will compete for normal cells for its glucose. So the best thing to do to prevent cancer is to avoid sugar," said Berg, who was a previously practicing chiropractor, but is no longer licensed.

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

Additional research is needed to explore the relationship between sugar in a person’s diet and cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. To date, studies have not found a direct link between sugar and cancer. However, there is some evidence that consuming large amounts of sugar can put a person at a higher risk of certain cancers.

Eating a lot of sugary foods, such as cookies, cakes and soda, can lead to weight gain and excess body fat. Being overweight or obese can increase a person’s risk for 11 different cancers, including colorectal, postmenopausal breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s necessary to completely avoid consuming sugar, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute said.

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No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (8)

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (9)

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stated on June 24, 2024 in an Instagram post

"Hospitals murdered patients” with remdesivir, a drug banned from Ebola trials because of “53% kill rate.”

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (10)

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (11)

Simple sugar, known as glucose, is the body’s main source of energy. All cells, including cancer cells, use glucose as their fuel. Glucose can come from any food with carbohydrates, including healthy foods and foods with added sugars.

"The idea that sugar, or glucose, could fuel the growth of cancer cells can lead some people to unnecessarily avoid all carbohydrate-containing foods. This approach assumes that if cancer cells need glucose, then cutting it out of one’s diet will stop cancer from growing," the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute said.

But it’s not that simple. Since all cells need glucose to function and grow, there is no way for the body to only give glucose to healthy cells, rather than cancerous ones.

In fact, health experts warn that not consuming enough carbohydrates can lead to muscle loss and malnutrition. This can also make it more difficult for a person to undergo cancer treatment and recovery.

Our ruling

"It’s been proven that sugar triggers and causes cancer," a video on Facebook said. "So the best thing to do to prevent cancer is to avoid sugar."

Although consuming large amounts of sugar can put a person at higher risk of certain cancers, sugar itself is not carcinogenic. Avoiding sugar altogether will not stop cancer from growing and doing so could also lead to unhealthy weight loss.

We rate this claim Mostly False.

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Instagram posts

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No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (55)

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No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (57)

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No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer (2024)

FAQs

No evidence that sugar directly causes cancer? ›

Sugar is not a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance. However, over-consumption of sugar, particularly added sugars in processed beverages and foods, can contribute to obesity which is an important risk factor for cancer. There is no evidence that consuming sugar makes cancer cells grow faster or cause cancer.

What is the number one cancer fighting food? ›

"Cancer-fighting foods"

The list is usually topped with berries, broccoli, tomatoes, walnuts, grapes and other vegetables, fruits and nuts. "If you look at the typical foods that reduce cancer risk, it's pretty much all plant foods that contain phytochemicals," says Wohlford.

Is there not strong evidence that artificial sweeteners cause cancer? ›

False. There is not strong evidence that artificial sweeteners cause cancer, but some scientists are worried that they may alter the gut microbiome and metabolic health.

What stops cancer cells from growing? ›

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Tyrosine kinases help to send growth signals in cells, so blocking them stops the cell growing and dividing. Cancer growth blockers can block one type of tyrosine kinase or more than one type. TKIs that block more than one type of tyrosine kinase are called multi TKIs.

What happens when you stop eating sugar suddenly? ›

It's during this early "sugar withdrawal" stage that both mental and physical symptoms have been reported – including depression, anxiety, brain fog and cravings, alongside headaches, fatigue and dizziness.

What starves cancer cells? ›

Ketones become the energy to cells in the body. Early (preclinical) studies showed that some cancer cells can't use ketones as energy. So, changing the diet to be high in fat and low in carbohydrate will lower glucose levels and starve cancer cells. Normal body cells adapt and can use ketones to survive.

What triggers cancer cells to grow? ›

Gene mutations in cancer cells interfere with the normal instructions in a cell and can cause it to grow out of control or not die when it should. A cancer can continue to grow because cancer cells act differently than normal cells. Cancer cells are different from normal cells because they: divide out of control.

Why is stevia banned in Europe? ›

Stevia was initially banned because some highly alarming early studies suggested that the sweetener might be linked to cancer. There were also other concerns about the sweet compounds in stevia leaves, known as steviol glycosides.

Is there a link between sugar and cancer? ›

When sugar can increase your risk of cancer. Eating lots of foods that contain sugar means you're more likely to gain weight. Research shows that obesity increases your cancer risk. Obesity may cause changes in hormone levels which may also put you at a greater risk of developing cancer.

What is the best sweetener that doesn't cause cancer? ›

Stevia is one of the safest low-calorie sweeteners. Rats fed high doses do not have a higher risk of tumors.

Are eggs bad for cancer? ›

Eggs can be a source of carcinogenic chemicals that are formed during high temperature frying. That would be consistent with the bladder cancer data, suggesting fried egg consumption may double cancer risk, but not boiled eggs.

What is the fastest killing cancer? ›

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest rate of survival once diagnosed, claiming the lives of over 80 percent of those diagnosed, making it the most fatal type of cancer. This is in part due to delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of this type of cancer.

What does a sugar face look like? ›

Here are the tell-tale signs on your face that sugar is the culprit aging your skin: The surface of your skin looks hard and shiny. Deep, crosshatch lines appear along your upper lip. Discoloration and hyperpigmentation mark your skin.

How do you flush sugar out of your body? ›

Drink plenty of water

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What is the best drink to detox sugar? ›

Homemade sugar detox drinks include options like lemon water with mint, cucumber and ginger-infused water, Tulsi Water, Neem water and herbal teas. These beverages can aid in reducing sugar intake, promoting hydration, and supporting overall health.

What destroys most cancer cells? ›

The T cells see cancer as “foreign” cells that don't belong in the body. The T cells attack and try to destroy the cancerous cells. When the cancer cells are killed, a “checkpoint” in the immune system stops the T cells from attacking. This protects healthy cells.

How to increase T cells to fight cancer? ›

There are two main types of T-cell transfer therapy: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (or TIL) therapy and CAR T-cell therapy. Both involve collecting your own immune cells, growing large numbers of these cells in the lab, and then giving the cells back to you through a needle in your vein.

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