The sweet dilemma: balancing sugar intake and cancer risk this halloween
Over the last 30 years, our consumption of sugar-laden beverages and processed foods has skyrocketed (Ma et al., 2022). While sugar itself isn’t inherently carcinogenic, the conditions it creates—like inflammation and metabolic dysfunction—set the stage for cancer to thrive.
Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in the development and progression of MPNs. This means that watching total sugar intake is an actionable step you can take to support your health. With Halloween approaching, we’ve put together a list of healthier sweet alternatives that still capture the fun of the season.
Sugar: a public health concern
Over the last 30 years, our consumption of sugar-laden beverages and processed foods has skyrocketed (Ma et al., 2022). Today, the average American consumes over 45 kilograms of sugar annually—well above the limits recommended by the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association (Epner et al., 2022). Excessive sugar intake has now become a public health issue, and it’s directly tied to the onset of inflammation and disease.
The role of inflammation in MPNs and other chronic diseases
Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in many diseases, including cancer. In the case of MPNs, inflammation is not just a symptom of the condition but can actually drive the disease forward (Ramanathan et al., 2020).
Dr. Angela Fleischman, MD, PhD, from the University of California, Irvine, is a leader in researching how inflammation drives MPNs. Her work, partly funded by MPNRF, has linked chronic inflammation in MPNs to other inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (Soyfer & Fleischman, 2023).
Dr. Fleishman’s work highlights the potential link between inflammation and disease progression. In fact, a recent study in mice found that blocking various inflammation factors could delay the progression of myelofibrosis and even reversed damage (Li et al., 2024).
The Biological pathways linking sugar and disease
Research reveals how high-sugar diets activate harmful pathways in the body. Diets rich in sucrose and fructose can trigger inflammation, glucose imbalances, and lipid metabolic dysfunction (Epner et al., 2022). It’s the low-grade inflammation that many researchers believe can set the stage and exacerbate a variety of diseases, including autoimmune disorders and cancer (Ma et al., 2022).
Sugar and cancer: The evidence
It’s now well-established that sugar consumption can contribute to cancer development and exacerbate disease progression, even in the absence of obesity (Epner et al., 2022). While sugar itself isn’t inherently carcinogenic, the conditions it creates—like inflammation and metabolic dysfunction—set the stage for cancer to thrive. As we learn more about the links between diet and disease, reducing sugar intake appears to be an actionable way to mitigate cancer risk.
Current guidelines on sugar intake
Various health organizations have issued guidelines encouraging people to manage their sugar consumption. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, US Food and Drug Administration, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society advise that less than 10 percent of daily calories should come from sugar. The American Heart Association goes a step further, suggesting that women limit their sugar intake to no more than 6 percent of daily calories, while men should aim for no more than 9 percent.
However, some experts, like Dr. Audrey Hiltunen from Loyola Medicine, argue that there isn’t a healthy amount of sugar to consume daily since sugar is not an essential nutrient. Rather, the focus should be on limiting (not eliminating) intake to avoid its harmful effects.
How much sugar is too much?
To put these guidelines into perspective, if you consume 2,000 calories per day, no more than 200 of those calories (50 grams) should come from sugar. For those on a 1,200-calorie diet, the limit drops to 120 calories (30 grams) of sugar. This means that a single can of Coke, which contains 39 grams of sugar, may max out the recommended daily limit on its own.
Here’s a quick comparison of sugar content in popular October snacks:
- Mini Snickers Bar: 5 grams of sugar, 45 calories
- Caramel Apple: 28 grams of sugar, 160 calories
- Can of Soda (12 oz): 39 grams of sugar, 140 calories
- Pumpkin Spiced Latte (16 oz, 2% milk): 50 grams of sugar, 390 calories
- Mini Box of Nerds Candy: 11 grams of sugar, 45 calories
A healthier path forward
Reducing sugar intake can help lower inflammation and, by extension, might reduce the risk of cancer progression. By following guidelines from trusted health organizations and opting for healthier alternatives to sugary treats, it’s possible to enjoy the season while also taking meaningful steps to protect your health.
Diet and MPNs are an active area of research with Dr. Fleischman’s laboratory exploring how diet, specifically the Mediterranean diet, can help reduce symptoms in MPN patients, offering a practical approach to managing the effects of inflammation.
Making diet changes might seem difficult at first, especially with Halloween temptations all around. But with a bit of mindfulness, you can adjust your habits and enjoy the best of both worlds—fun treats and a healthier lifestyle.
Sources:
Debras, C., Chazelas, E., Srour, B., Kesse-Guyot, E., Julia, C., Zelek, L., Agaësse, C., Druesne-Pecollo, N., Galan, P., Hercberg, S., Latino-Martel, P., Deschasaux, M., & Touvier, M. (2020). Total and added sugar intakes, sugar types, and cancer risk: Results from the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 112(5), 1267–1279. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqaa246
Epner, M., Yang, P., Wagner, R. W., & Cohen, L. (2022). Understanding the Link between Sugar and Cancer: An Examination of the Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Cancers, 14(24), Article 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14246042
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Ramanathan, G., Hoover, B. M., & Fleischman, A. G. (2020). Impact of Host, Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in the Pathogenesis of MPN. Cancers, 12(8), Article 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12082038
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Certain medicines listed may not be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for myelofibrosis but are recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). MPN Research Foundation works with NCCN on the creation and updating of its MPN Patient Guidelines.
