Washington - Carbonated drinks may raise the risk of oesophageal cancer, a usually fatal disease, researchers reported on Monday. Several studies presented at a meeting of cancer and gastrointestinal experts in New Orleans showed that what people eat and drink could affect a range of cancers. "This research supports the widespread medical recommendations for healthy eating," said Dr Lee Kaplan of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.Full story (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=117&art_id=qw1084855685685B243&set_id=1)

In response to the recent hype of the cancer risk related to soft drink, Ive created this poll. Ive virtually been raised on fizzy juice, I drink alot of the stuff, nearly 2L a day every day, so Im kind of worrying about this recent study. I take everything I do to the max, smoking and drinking included. But now Im 19, ive got my head screwed on straight and Ive stopped the smoking and sevearly reduced my intake of alcohol. But, I didnt know that carbonated drink can cause cancer, so now Ive seen this news Im stopping fizzy drinks altogether as well.

They say that aerosol deodrants, aftershave etc can also cause cancer, so, are we doomed from the outset or do you think its alot of hype over nothing?

So how much did you drink or still drink a day?

Any discussion on this topic is welcomed.

Cheers.

It varies between days and depending if i need the sugar for energy, usually between one can and a litre, i prefer to balance it with juice or water.

0

i don't like soda. water for me.

I prefer fruit juices and milkshakes. I occasionally have the odd Lucozade.

about 1 can month, I used to live off of them but I've sort of lost my taste for it in the last few years.

I enjoy fresh squeezed lemonaide the most on a sultry, hot and humid day. Fresh squeezed apple juice is also very refreshing and goood for your health.

This study isn't very convincing. It shows that there is a correlation, but the conclusion that the rise in drinking soda is the cause of the rise in esophagal cancer because soda can cause gastric reflux and gastric reflux is a risk factor is not a fair deduction. If it were, then it would also follow that anything which causes gastric reflux is a risk factor, and thats quite a few things.
A more likely explanation in my opinion is that the rise in obesity which is a major cause of gastric reflux is responsible for the rise in esophagal cancer.
Of course, drinking too much soda can cause obesity, so even if this is the case soda could be a factor, but its not the same thing as saying "soda causes cancer"

I drink about 0.2liters a day, on average. Go figure ;)

This study isn't very convincing. It shows that there is a correlation, but the conclusion that the rise in drinking soda is the cause of the rise in esophagal cancer because soda can cause gastric reflux and gastric reflux is a risk factor is not a fair deduction. If it were, then it would also follow that anything which causes gastric reflux is a risk factor, and thats quite a few things.
A more likely explanation in my opinion is that the rise in obesity which is a major cause of gastric reflux is responsible for the rise in esophagal cancer.
Of course, drinking too much soda can cause obesity, so even if this is the case soda could be a factor, but its not the same thing as saying "soda causes cancer"
Yes, this is true, it does look like they are jumping to conlusions but do they not say thats its gastric reflux combined with the acid content that helps get you cancer? There are so many acidic kind of foods too so I dont really know how they can attribute it mainly to soda. Smoking, low iron levels and alcohol are supposed to help cause it so why all of a sudden do they conclude that soda is a major factor? There are too many variables to take into conderation...

I drink one or two cans a day.

I do what makes me happy. Drinking soda with things like pizza is good so I do it. I give little regard to long term health effects. I may regret this when I am 70 but I doubt it.

You are 19 and dropping soda just because some study says it might contribute to causing cancer? Hehe might as well stop doing anything fun. Everything causes cancer its true. Keep drinking and eating and even having an occasional smoke if ya want it....

none. I mostly drink juice and water- i hate the fizz actually thats why I mostly drink juice and water.

The only time I ever drink fizzy drink is when i mix bourbon with coke

Probably 2. Which is bad!