A new study, published online in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, examined the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and endometrial cancer.  The researchers noted that the literature has clearly established a connection between sugary drinks and obesity as well as type II diabetes.  However, to examine a new risk, they focused on endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.

Researchers evaluated dietary intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice, sugar-free beverages, sweets/baked goods, starch, and sugars among 23,039 postmenopausal women in the Iowa Women’s Health Study. Incident estrogen-dependent type I and estrogen-independent type II endometrial cancers were identified via linkage with the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Registry. Risks of type I and type II endometrial cancers were separately compared by energy-adjusted dietary intake.

The study found that there was an increased risk of type I endometrial cancer observed with increasing sugar-sweetened beverage intake after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and other cofounders.  In comparison with nondrinkers of sugar-sweetened beverages, the risk was 78% higher among women in the highest quintile of sugary drink intake.  The observed association was not modified by BMI, physical activity, history of diabetes, or cigarette smoking.  However, none of the dietary items included in the analysis was associated with type II endometrial cancer risk.  Also, researchers found no association between sweet snacks, cakes or starchy foods and cancer. Sugar free soft drinks also did not appear to increase the risk of cancer.

In explaining the findings, The Telegraph notes that there may be a logical explanation for the results.  Obesity has already been linked with endometrial cancer.  Sugary beverage consumption has been linked with obesity.  The literature also shows that obese individuals often have higher levels of estrogen and insulin, both of which are established risk factors for endometrial cancer.

Consumption of sugary drinks may have additional detrimental impacts.  For example, a new study, published in the journal Neurology, examined the effects of higher blood sugar levels on memory and the microstructure of the hippocampus.  Focusing on healthy, older individuals without dementia or diabetes, the researchers found that having lower blood sugar levels was significantly correlated with better memory performance.  This was demonstrated on measures of delayed recall, learning ability, and memory consolidation.  Moreover, the researchers found that, even in the absence of blood sugar levels linked to diagnosable type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, the correlation was still present.  Another study, published earlier in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that higher blood sugar is a risk factor for dementia.