Intake of carbonated beverages does not lead to the development of oesophageal cancer, even after 20 years of exposure. Previous studies had suggested a link between the increased use of carbonated soft drinks and occurrence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, but this link was not confirmed.

Users of carbonated soft drinks were not at an increased risk of oesophageal cancer as compared to those who never drank them, irrespective of the frequency of consumption. Among high consumers defined as drinking carbonated soft drinks more than six times per week, there was a trend toward decreased risk of these cancers compared with non-users.

The study findings give no support for the hypothesis that drinking carbonated soft drinks contributes to the increasing incidence of this cancer.

Copyright Reuters, 2006