Scientists Claim Sugar In Fizzy Drinks May Increase Chances Of Breast Cancer

Soda may taste like candy in a can, but there's a reason for that: It's full of sugar.

Everyone knows that sugar isn't good for your heart, waistline, or your overall well-being, but a recent study by scientists at the University of Texas found that not only will soda make the number on your scale go up; the sugar in this fizzy drink may also increase your chances of breast cancer.

In the study, scientists fed a group of mice either a sugar-rich Western diet or a non-sugar diet. The results? You probably guessed it: The mice that were given a non-sugar diet that was richer in starch were found less likely to develop cancer, while the sugar-rich diet was linked to an increase in tumor growth.

Co-author of the online edition of the Cancer Research Dr. Peiying Yang said that she believes this was the first study conducted to explore the direct effect sugar specifically had on the risk of breast cancer. She said, "We found that sucrose intake in mice comparable to levels of Western diets led to increase tumor growth and metastasis, when compared to a non-sugar starch diet.

According to Forbes, the average American consumes 45 grams of sugar every five days. That's the same amount found in one of today's 12-ounce sodas. Scary, isn't it?

So, the next time you order your lunch with a Coke on the side, you may want to consider your health and opt out for water or tea instead.