Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Liver Cancer—A Hard Look at Soft Drinks
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By
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Daniel Clayton-Chubb
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Andrew T. Chan
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June 10, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Examining the Relationship Between Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Drinks and Liver Cancer Risk
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | |
| Key Mechanisms | Increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) linked to metabolic dysregulation, increased insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. |
| Target Population | |
| Care Setting | |
Key Highlights
- SSB consumption associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).
- 1-beverage/day increase in SSB linked to hazard ratios of 1.10 for HCC and 1.15 for ICC.
- No association found between artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) and liver cancer.
- Study utilized data from 11 prospective cohort studies.
- Observational nature of study limits causality conclusions.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Monitor liver cancer incidence in populations with high SSB consumption.
Management
- Encourage reduction of SSB intake.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Assess dietary patterns and metabolic health in patients at risk for liver cancer.
Risks
- Consider potential residual confounding from metabolic disorders.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals with high SSB intake or metabolic disorders.
Clinical Best Practices
- Advise patients on the risks associated with high SSB consumption.
- Promote healthy dietary alternatives to SSB.
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