Soft drinks

Avoid

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Avoid2 studies

Regular soft drink consumption linked to doubled breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women

Two studies totaling over 12,000 women connect sugary drink intake to elevated breast cancer risk, particularly after menopause. A case-control study of 1,456 European American women found frequent sugary drink consumption doubled breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.13–3.70). A prospective cohort of 10,930 Spanish women showed that higher adherence to cancer prevention guidelines — including limiting sugar-sweetened drinks — reduced postmenopausal breast cancer risk by 73% (HR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08–0.93). While the cohort study measured combined lifestyle factors rather than soft drinks alone, both studies converge on limiting sugary beverages as part of breast cancer risk reduction, aligning with WCRF/AICR recommendations to avoid sugar-sweetened drinks that promote weight gain and associated hormonal changes.

Evidence

Adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Recommendations and Breast Cancer in the SUN Project

Authors: Barrios Rodríguez, Rocío, Jiménez Moleón, José Juan

Published: July 13, 2020

In 10,930 Spanish female university graduates in the SUN prospective cohort, sugar-sweetened drink consumption was one of eight items in a WCRF/AICR compliance score. Post-menopausal women with highest compliance (>5 points) versus lowest (≤3 points) had a hazard ratio of 0.27 (95% CI: 0.08-0.93) for breast cancer after multivariable adjustment. The association was attributable to the combined effects of all nutritional and lifestyle components scored in the index.

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Nutr Cancer

In a case-control study of 1,456 European American women (755 cases and 701 controls), frequent consumption of sugary drinks was associated with a statistically significant increase in breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.13–3.70). The study included 1,692 African American women and 1,456 European American women total, with stratification by menopausal status and estrogen receptor status. These findings support existing cancer prevention recommendations to limit sugary drinks that promote weight gain.

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