A RECENT study has shed light on the concerning link between high sugar consumption and premature ageing in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Premature ageing is a significant issue for these individuals, as they tend to develop age-related health conditions earlier than their peers without a history of childhood cancer. While lifestyle factors such as diet are believed to influence the ageing process, there has been limited evidence to support these claims until now.
The researchers examined the relationship between sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and premature aging in 3,322 adult survivors of childhood cancer. The researchers assessed premature ageing using the Deficit Accumulation Index (DAI), which measures the number of age-related chronic health conditions each survivor had out of a possible 44 conditions.
The results showed that 46% of the participants reported consuming SSBs once or more per day. High intake of sugar, particularly sugars added during food preparation or processing, and regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages were both associated with an increased risk of premature ageing. This suggests that diet, specifically the consumption of high amounts of sugar and SSBs, could play a significant role in accelerating the ageing process.
The implications of this study are significant. It stresses the importance of dietary interventions, and promoting healthy ageing among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Reducing the intake of sugar and SSBs could be a critical strategy in mitigating the risk of premature ageing and improving the overall long-term health of these individuals.
In conclusion, the study highlights the need for targeted lifestyle interventions that focus on reducing sugar consumption to help adult survivors of childhood cancer age more healthily and avoid the early onset of age-related health conditions.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Lan T et al. Sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages in relation to premature aging in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Br J Cancer. 2024. [Epub ahead of print].
