does sugar feed cancer? 4 Reasons why it does

Does sugar feed cancer? The information out on this topic can be confusing and conflicting. So let’s break this topic down into 4 easy to consume points.

Sugar increases your risk of developing cancer

High levels of sucrose intake was associated with increased risk of tumor development in colon cancer.  Sucrose is the sugar molecule found in processed and added sugars but can also be found naturally in sugar cane, dates or honey.

 in a 2006 study, the consumption of added sugars and soft drinks was positively correlated with pancreatic cancer  A greater incidence of pancreatic cancer occurred with increased sugar consumption.

A study looking at the incidence of lung cancer also found an increased risk of developing cancer as sugar consumption increased.

Another study assessed drinking sugar sweetened beverages. It found the likelihood of a colon cancer diagnosis increased with the consumption of >2 sugar sweetened beverages per day vs. >2 per month.

Lastly, a greater risk for rectal cancer in those individuals that consumed larger amounts of simple sugars and sugar sweetened beverages in adolescence than those who did not.

Sugar is the fuel that feeds cancer cells

Cancer cells consume a greater amount of sugar than our normal cells . They are not able to efficiently use other fuel sources the way that our normal cells can due to the mutations within the cancer cells.

Research has recognized that extensive sugar uptake occurs within a cancer cell. Sugar plays a vital role as an energy source for cancer cells.

Numerous studies are showing this connection between an increase in cancer cells  as sugar intake increases. For instance, sugar has been connected to cancer recurrence in a 2014 study on colon cancer. The higher the amount of sugar consumed after remission, the greater the recurrence. In another instance, a strong correlation was found between breast cancer mortality in older women and sugar consumption.

Cancer growth is connected to High Insulin Levels

Insulin is the likely link between sugar consumption and cancer. Insulin is well known for it’s role in blood sugar as a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose into our cells. This hormone does so much more than that though. 

Insulin also functions as a growth factor. Insulin growth factor (IGF-1) receptors play a vital role in the establishment and maintenance of cancer cells. A decrease in these receptors leads to apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells.

An increase in insulin in the body is directly connected to high blood sugar. Insulin resistance begins to occur when we consume an excess of simple carbs that spike blood sugar in the body. Our body’s response to insulin resistance is to pump out more insulin, thus creating a state known as hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels).

In a 2007 study comparing high vs. low carb diets given to mice, the high carb mice experienced higher serum insulin, higher IGF-1 levels and increased tumor growth compared to the low carb group. 

Simple carbs are More Harmful than complex carbs

Simple carbs negatively impact plasma glucose levels by spiking blood sugar over time. But why are simple carbs more harmful?

Complex carbs are made up of longer chain sugar molecules that take the body longer to process and breakdown. They don’t create a spike in your blood sugar and provide a more gradual release of sugar into the bloodstream.  Complex carbs are whole food that contain fiber like vegetables, beans, or whole grains. 

 Simple carbs are molecules made up of shorter sugar chains. They spike your blood sugar because simple carbs are easier for the body to breakdown and fast-track to the bloodstream. This blood sugar spike is what we want to avoid. Simple carbs include table sugar, syrups and soft drinks.

Simple sugars are linked to increased tumor growth and cancer risk. Whole foods containing fiber like vegetables or beans help to decrease cancer risk.

All of the research on sugar’s role in cancer continues to point in one unifying direction: sugar consumption increases cancer risk, provides cancer cells with energy, and promotes cancer growth. Sugar does in fact feed cancer, especially in the consumption of simple carbs and added sugars.

This leaves us with an important question, does our body need simple carbs and added sugars? The simple answer is no.

The consumption of quality proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs provides our body with much needed vitamins, minerals, phytochemical and antioxidants that decrease inflammation, stabilize blood sugar and boost the immune system. When supporting your body for optimal healing focus on healthful whole foods