Sugar-Sweetened Beverages May Raise Risk of  Hepatic Cancer Subtypes - Report - MDSpire

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages May Raise Risk of  Hepatic Cancer Subtypes

In a pooled analysis of more than 1.5 million patients, sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with higher risks of HCC and ICC, while artificially-sweetened beverages showed no independent association with hepatic cancer.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • June 10, 2026

  • 3 min

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Clinical Report: Sugar-Sweetened Beverages May Raise Risk of Hepatic Cancer Subtypes

Overview

Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background

Hepatic cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a significant public health concern. This study investigates the relationship between sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened beverage intake and hepatic cancer risk.

Data Highlights

Type of BeverageIncreased Risk of HCCIncreased Risk of ICC
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages10% per additional beverage15% per additional beverage
Artificially-Sweetened BeveragesNo associationNo association

Key Findings

  • Each additional daily sugar-sweetened beverage is associated with a 10% higher likelihood of HCC.
  • Each additional daily sugar-sweetened beverage is associated with a 15% higher likelihood of ICC.
  • Artificially-sweetened beverage intake is not associated with overall hepatic cancer risk.
  • Subgroup analyses show consistent findings among participants with and without diabetes.
  • Self-reported beverage consumption limits the assessment of changes over time.
  • Most participants were from predominantly White populations, affecting generalizability.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should consider dietary intake of sugar-sweetened beverages when assessing liver cancer risk in patients. Further research may be needed to explore the long-term effects of beverage consumption on hepatic health.

Conclusion

The study reports a link between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and specific hepatic cancer subtypes.

Related Resources & Content

  1. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Liver Cancer—A Hard Look at Soft Drinks
  2. The ASCO Post, 2016 -- Increased Risk of Gallbladder Cancer May Be Associated With Consuming Large Amounts of Sweetened Beverages
  3. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Artificially Sweetened and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Risk of Liver Cancer
  4. The ASCO Post, 2023 -- Does Daily Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Increase the Risk of Liver Disease Among Postmenopausal Women?
  5. EASL, 2024 -- New EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
  6. PMC, 2023 -- Advancing Surveillance Strategies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A New Era of Efficacy and Precision
  7. Nature Food, 2025 -- Proteomic signatures of sweetened beverages are associated with higher risk of adverse liver outcomes
  8. New EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hepatocellular Carcinoma - EASL-The Home of Hepatology.
  9. Advancing Surveillance Strategies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A New Era of Efficacy and Precision - PMC
  10. Proteomic signatures of sweetened beverages are associated with higher risk of adverse liver outcomes | Nature Food

Original Source(s)

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages May Raise Risk of  Hepatic Cancer Subtypes

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • June 10, 2026

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