sodaA new study shows that drinking even a few sugary soft drinks per week can drastically increase your risk for pancreatic cancer.  This is scary news for those of us who can't seem to get enough of our carbonated beverages...

The study followed more than 60,000 men and women living in Singapore for more than a decade. Those who drank two or more sugary soft drinks per week had an 87 percent higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer (which is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in both men and women).

The link between soda and pancreatic cancer? Sugar.

More specifically, insulin, which helps the body digest sugar, is made in the pancreas. Excess sugar from sweetened soft drinks can interfere with the body's insulin release or even trigger a greater release; this may stimulate cancerous cells to grow in the pancreas.

However, fruit juice, which often has as much sugar as soda, is not linked to a higher risk of cancer. Doctors expect this is because soda drinkers are likely to have other unhealthy habits (for example, smoking and eating red meat), which can increase their risk.

Your best bet to quench your thirst and lessen your risk of developing cancer?  I know it's boring, but the answer is always: water.

Does this study scare you? How many soft drinks do you consume each week?

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