Sweetened beverages are associated with a higher risk of differentiated thyroid cancer in the EPIC cohort: a dietary pattern approach

[helvella]

There are many reasons to question our consumption of beverages. Not least, the huge amount of resources which go into their production, packaging and distribution and end up as waste.

I think many are aware of the blood sugar issues.

However, this paper suggests that there is a link between sweetened beverages and risk of differentiated thyroid cancer.

And this is also an important part of their paper:

Similar results were observed with sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.

There was some relief to be found: wine and beer were found to be negatively associated! (Though the resources issues might be as bad.)

The authors come from a range of countries including Spain, Denmark, UK, Uruguay, Italy and Sweden.

Eur J Nutr. 2022 Jul 30.

doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-02953-5. Online ahead of print.

Sweetened beverages are associated with a higher risk of differentiated thyroid cancer in the EPIC cohort: a dietary pattern approach

Raul Zamora-Ros 1 , Valerie Cayssials 2 3 4 , Ramon Clèries 5 6 , Maria Torrents 2 , Graham Byrnes 7 , Elisabete Weiderpass 7 , Maria Sandström 8 , Martin Almquist 9 , Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault 10 11 , Anne Tjønneland 12 13 , Cecilie Kyrø 12 , Verena A Katzke 14 , Charlotte Le Cornet 14 , Giovanna Masala 15 , Vittorio Krogh 16 , Gabriella Iannuzzo 17 , Rosario Tumino 18 , Lorenzo Milani 19 , Guri Skeie 20 , Esther Ubago-Guisado 21 22 23 , Pilar Amiano 23 24 , María-Dolores Chirlaque 23 25 , Eva Ardanaz 23 26 27 , Suzanne Janzi 28 , Linda Eriksson 29 , Heinz Freisling 7 , Alicia K Heath 30 , Sabina Rinaldi 7 , Antonio Agudo 2

Affiliations

• PMID: 35907037

• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-02953-5

Abstract

Background: Dietary pattern analysis has gained particular interest, because it reflects the complexity of dietary intake. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between a posteriori dietary patterns, derived using a data-driven approach, and the risk of differentiated thyroid cancer (TC) in Europe.

Methods: This investigation included 450,064 adults from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Dietary intake was assessed using validated country-specific dietary questionnaires. A posteriori dietary patterns were computed using principal component analyses. Cox regression was used to calculate multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: After a mean follow-up time of 14 years, 712 first differentiated TCs were diagnosed. In the fully adjusted model, a dietary pattern characterized by alcohol consumption (basically beer and wine) was negatively associated with differentiated TC risk (HRQ4vs.Q1 = 0.75; 95% CI:0.60-0.94, P-trend = 0.005), while a dietary pattern rich in sweetened beverages was positively associated with differentiated TC risk (HRQ4vs.Q1 = 1.26; 95% CI:0.99-1.61; P-trend = 0.07). The remaining 8 dietary patterns were not related to differentiated TC risk. The intake of sweetened beverages was positively associated with differentiated TC risk (HR100mL/d = 1.05; 95% CI:1.00-1.11), especially with papillary TC risk (HR100mL/d = 1.07; 95% CI:1.01-1.13). Similar results were observed with sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.

Conclusions: The investigation of dietary patterns detected that the consumption of sweetened beverages was associated with a higher risk of differentiated thyroid cancer. Our results are in line with the general dietary recommendations of reducing the consumption of sweetened beverages.

Keywords: Dietary pattern; EPIC; Intake; Sweetened beverages; Thyroid cancer.

Full article is behind a paywall:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/359...

[Mostew]

Interesting.but shouldn’t we reach a point where we simply know balanced diet based on whole food with the occasional sugary drink is best ? Do we need studies to tell us .

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mostew]

Isn't it important to know why?

Without understanding, we could come up what appears to be a diet based on whole food which is actually not good for us.

Some might consider a drink (tea or lemon juice or some sort of fruit juice), possibly sweetened with honey, to be fine. This suggests that regular consumption might not be such a good idea. Or at least requires consideration and not simply be assumed to be acceptable.

[Mostew in reply to helvella]

I guess I’m being idealistic . I find it hard to believe A lemon and small amount of honey drink made with organic unprocessed honey can do harm . Studies are very useful but we have lost the art of being sensible .

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mostew]

People tend to go from one drink like that a week. Through one a day. And one in the morning, another in the evening. To many every day.

We might be better able to suggest where the crossover is between being of little to no significance and being important.

Further, many drink sweetened drinks along with meals. Which might be another factor.

[Mostew in reply to helvella]

That’s what I’m trying to say. A balanced approach to food and drink . Educate kids early on to sip water with a meal and how to enjoy life in general so excess of anything is less likely.

Not be brainwashed by advertising . No need for juice with food all the time .

Sorry for sounding idealistic!!!!

[Margo in reply to Mostew]

100% agree with you.

[Brightness14 in reply to helvella]

I totally agree.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Thanks for posting Helvella. I think it’s an interesting study, as drinks made from both artificial and natural sugars are highlighted as potential culprits.

I was going to have a G & T this afternoon but am instead going to have a glass of wine, until the next study puts me (momentarily) off this!🤣

[SilverAvocado]

I'd got a bit confused here and thought differentiated thyroid cancer was the much rarer and more deadly form.

But actually differentiated is the more common form, including papillary and follicular types. Differentiated meaning they are more like thyroid cells and more different from other kinds of cells (which is why, for example, they take in iodine like ordinary thyroid tissue).

The undifferentiated types are the very rarest form of thyroid cancer, where the cells are unlike thyroid cells.

I found this page that lays out all the types if anyone else is interested: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

[helvella Administrator in reply to SilverAvocado]

They manage to list six different thyroid cancers - before going on to the rare types.

At least emotionally, I'd hoped all of them were rare!

[SilverAvocado in reply to helvella]

I think thyroid cancer in general is pretty rare! Something like 4,000 cases per year, which is less than 1% of all cancer.

My cancer was follicular, which I always knew was the second most common type, but hadn't realised it was so far behind papillary until I looked at that page. I do notice almost everyone on the forum who mentions their type had papillary. I guess the actual numbers of patients per year for all the other types is teeny tiny.

[Brightness14]

Thank you a very interesting read. It's not surprising either about the sweet things added to drinks. I personally drink water, not because it's fashionable but I always have for the past seventy years. My mother never had sugar in her drinks. She lived to 100 years. She never liked anything sweet, so maybe it helped, who knows.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Brightness14]

No saint here - but I now drink water, tea, coffee, wine and beer. Almost nothing else. And neither sugar nor milk in my tea and coffee.

In other circumstances, I would once have happily drunk something like an orange juice. And am not totally averse to a tonic (or similar) with gin. But very rare.

[Brightness14]

No saint either but I have never smoked, drunk very little and eaten healthy all before it was fashionable. Also been a keen swimmer, runner too. This has probably helped to keep me alive and still kicking as I was adopted and inherited many health problems from my birth family.Two sinus ops, gallbladder removal, no thyroid, plus no right eyesight or hearing now, Great.

The latest is an appointment for ENT maybe a benign brain tumour please wish me luck.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Brightness14]

Have a ladle full of luck!

Do come back to let us know how it goes.

[Brightness14]

Will do,