Drinking sugary drinks like smoothies or sweetened coffee on an empty stomach can damage the colon. (Image: Dreamstime )

In the morning, many people have a habit of drinking a cup of sweetened coffee, smoothie, milk tea, or iced blended drink instead of breakfast. However, these sugary products can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, while also increasing the amount of added sugar entering the body.

According to China Times, Dr. Huang Xuan, a specialist in intensive care and respiratory medicine in Taiwan, warned that regularly drinking sugary beverages, especially on an empty stomach, can increase the metabolic burden and trigger a series of reactions, thereby significantly increasing the risk of colon cancer.

Smoothies with lots of added sugar, crushed ice drinks, sweetened coffee, or beverages using high-fructose syrups can provide a significant amount of sugar in a single serving. When consumed regularly, this high amount of added sugar can contribute to excess energy intake, increasing the risk of weight gain and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Hoang Hien noted that these types of drinks often contain a large amount of refined sugar or high-fructose syrup, which can cause blood sugar to rise rapidly. If they contain artificial sweeteners, they can also alter the gut microbiome. In addition, some drinks contain both milk and fat, which can prolong inflammation in the gut.

Drinking these beverages on an empty stomach for extended periods, without food to provide a "buffer," is believed to directly irritate the intestinal lining.

According to Dr. Hoang Hien, drinking sugary beverages on an empty stomach can trigger a chain reaction, including a surge in insulin, low-grade chronic inflammation, imbalance of the gut microbiome, impaired recovery of the intestinal mucosa, and an increased likelihood of cell mutations.

Numerous large-scale epidemiological studies have indicated that long-term consumption of sugary drinks is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Men, in particular, and those who develop this habit at a young age are thought to be at higher risk.

Compared to black coffee and unsweetened tea, people who have consumed sugary drinks for more than 10 years have nearly double the risk of developing colon cancer.

According to Dr. Hoang Hien, the most worrying aspect is that this process occurs silently. In clinical practice, many patients are diagnosed with colon cancer for the first time when it is already in stage 3 or 4.

This expert recommends that people try changing their first drink of the morning for 30 consecutive days to black coffee, unsweetened tea, or water. This can significantly reduce inflammatory markers like CRP and IL-6, improve insulin resistance, and gradually help stabilize the gut microbiome.

Source: https://lifestyle.zingnews.vn/loai-do-uong-ngon-mieng-am-tham-lam-tang-nguy-co-ung-thu-gap-doi-post1687240.html