Image: ABC News
It seems like everyone I’ve talked to in the past day or two has heard the news: sugary soft drinks have been linked to pancreatic cancer.
A study performed at the University of Minnesota found that individuals consuming 2 or more soft drinks per week experienced a statistically significant increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Those are some scary findings! I’m sure almost all of us know people who drink much more pop than 2 drinks in a week – it might even be ourselves! However, while unnerving, the study shouldn’t really be that surprising to any of us.
Pop is full of sugar, and extremely acidic. Maybe it’s the high fructose corn syrup that our body isn’t metabolizing like we would a naturally occurring sugar, or maybe it’s the large amount of nutritionally empty calories, sending our pancreas into insulin production overdrive. Maybe it’s the acidity wreaking havoc on our stomachs, and causing related organ stress. We don’t know what the problem is. The University of Minnesota study didn’t find that the soft drinks were the cause of the pancreatic cancer, nevermind what it is about the soft drink. What the study found is that there was a correlation between soft drink consumption and pancreatic cancer risk.
It’s important to note that an increased risk of cancer does not mean you will get cancer. Out of more than 60,000 individuals who participated in the study, as part of the Singapore Chinese Health Study, 140 individuals developed pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is in general, a relatively rare cancer, but it does have a very low rate of survival.
The fact that the study was performed in Singapore is believed to be relevant to the Western world in general, as Singapore is a wealthy country with excellent health care.
What’s the bottom line? None of us ever felt that soft drinks were good for you. The fact that drinking more than 2 soft drinks a week increases your risk of pancreatic cancer is certainly a powerful reason to cut down on how many you drink – but even without this study, the empty calories and high acidity are good reasons to limit your soft drink consumption as well.
Questions
1. What do you think about the study findings? Will you cut down your soft drink consumption in response to the new findings?
I already don’t drink very much pop, but I certainly will keep the results in mind when I’m looking for something sweet!
2. On a lighter note, what do you call “pop”?
a. pop
b. soda
c. soft drink
d. other (please elaborate!)
I had a hard time writing this post – I call it “pop”, but the study called it a ‘”soft drink” so I wanted to be accurate!
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
My husband and I don’t drink it that often, so it probably won’t affect our consumption! And I call it soda! When I moved to Pittsburgh, everyone called it “pop” and at first I had no idea what they were talking about. This was really funny because I was born and raised only 2 hours from the city!
Abby´s last blog ..Snow-day turned Vay-cay
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I call it pop here in Pittsburgh!!
I rarely drink it to begin with because I don’t like carbonation. It stings my throat and chest. But I have one occasionally, and that won’t change.
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As soon as I heard that on the news my jaw dropped… My mother had pancreatic cancer, and yes this is a very deadly disease – usually when someone is diagnosed, they don’t even get the option of getting treatment – just told to prepare to die.
I don’t drink pop all that often, so it will be very easy to say “bye-bye” to drinking it for good. I know it’s a little extreme, but it’s not like it’s doing anything good for me anyways!
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I call it Soda, and I rarely drink it so I’m not too worried
Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..fun day in the bean!
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Pancreatic Cancer is a very deadly cancer with very little research being done on it. They are with Pancreatic Cancer where they were 30 years ago when they first started studying Breast Cancer.
My dad has terminal Pancreatic Cancer. His mother and his uncle passes away from this as well. There is a strong corralation between genetics and risk as well as smoking and alcohol. My dad never used to drink much soda at all, but he did love a good beer.
So who knows for sure whether soda actually plays a true part in the development of the cancer, but either way it’s not a healthy habit to drink it and if you have certain cancer risks running in your family it’s probably best to stay away from things that are detremental to your health.
Interesting study though…thanks for sharing.
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That’s part of the reason I gave it up…besides it was causing my insides to revolt.
I call it soda but grew up calling it Coke down south for any sort of soda.
Cynthia (It All Changes)´s last blog ..Lessons Learned + Goals
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I’m in Scotland and we call it a fizzy drink. When I went to visit family in Canada I got a lot of stick for calling it that hehe. I rarely drink it as its so bad for teeth! I don’t think these findings would stop me from drinking it however.
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I used to drink maybe 1 soda every other week or once a month. After the baby was born I had to cut out all carbonated beverages because they give her gas. I can’t say I miss it and my body seems to be thanking me for it.
I definitely call is soda, but people make fun of me here in Southern Ohio. They call it pop.
Katie´s last blog ..Table for…3?
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I stopped buying “pop” 3 years ago when I got serious about getting healthy, and my family doesn’t miss it! I think the high frutcose corn syrup and the carbonation of it just isnt healthy. And if I’m thirsty, it does noting to hydrate me. Love this post, so full of info!!
Funny thing, I grew up in NE Michigan and have always known it as “pop”. We moved down to Indiana and NO ONE knows what I mean by calling it “pop”. Down here it’s soda or soft drink.
Brenda´s last blog ..For the love of Artichokes
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I call it good ole soda!! one of my roomates in college always called it pop and she was from buffallo NY, I am from boston and we never call it pop! its too funny to hear someone call it that though!
I dont really drink soda that much, if I do its in moderation!
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Wow, that’s an interesting study and probably enough to slow down my soda consumption a bit considering my Grandma passed away from pancreatic cancer and let’s just say it is not pretty
I used to drink a ton of the stuff in college, but have cut down alot since then… but 2 per week? really? that would be a lofty goal for me hmmm :/ We call it soda here in VA, soda allll the wayyyy!!!
Stephanie´s last blog ..Comfort classic wins again!
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Wow. Two a week is not much. I don’t drink regular soda (and yes, I call it soda) ever, but I drink diet soda a few times a week. I’m sure that is no better (and quite possibly worse!) for me.
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I wonder if they’re talking about regular or diet soft drinks? I guess it doesn’t matter, they’re bad for you either way, but that doesn’t stop me from drinking them!
I grew up in Kansas and call it “pop.” I went to college in Missouri, where half the state called it pop and the rest called it soda. My roommates and I would argue over who was right. Now that I live in Georgia, all soft drinks are called Cokes.
Spiceaholic´s last blog ..Eat Smart Grab n’ Go Cups — Product Review
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I don’t like soda much but occasionally I’d grab a coke for a quick caffeine fix. I don’t know to always believe on research studies, myself do research and I know how inaccurate/inconclusive they are. So, I won’t cut it off completely if I really like it. but as everything else, too much of a thing isn’t good.
coco´s last blog ..Notions of Love
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Yikes! Luckily, I don’t like soda – diet or regular, so I don’t have to worry. But my husband drinks Diet Dr. Pepper all day long!
My backwoods (jk 
) husband calls it sodie or sodie pop hehe
I call soda..soda
Paige (Running Around Normal)´s last blog ..Moonlight Run and Mix My Granola
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Luckily, we don’t drink much soda. I’m originally from central New York, so we called it soda or “soda pop” at my house. But, upon further investigation (what else did I have to do today) a lot of my CNY friends grew up calling it pop. Either way, it ain’t too good for ya.
Melissa (Getting Fit If It Kills Me)´s last blog ..A Meat-Free Super Bowl (It Can Be Done!)
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Here in Iowa it’s “Pop” but at work, as a server, it’s “Soda.”
I don’t drink a lot of soda… I’d say less than 3 cans a week. I just don’t think all of that acid can be a good thing.
Kayla K´s last blog ..Thrifty Groceries for the Hard-To-Convert
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