Does sugar make cancer cells progress faster?

Many people with cancer worry that eating sugar will make cancer cells grow faster, so they should eliminate sugar and starchy foods from their menu. However, this is a misconception. Not only does it not control the tumor, but it also affects overall health and reduces the effectiveness of treatment drugs.

Sugar includes many types such as simple sugars (glucose, fructose), double sugars (like sucrose in cane sugar). After entering the body, sugar is converted into energy-providing molecules called ATP, which help nourish cells, including healthy and cancerous cells. Cancer cells grow and multiply quickly so they need more sugar than healthy cells. Therefore, many people misunderstand that sugar feeds cancer cells and cutting sugar in the diet helps prevent them from growing.

All cells in the body need sugar to function, there is no way to provide sugar only to healthy cells and not cancer cells. Completely eliminating sugar in the diet also hinders the body’s recovery process, reduces resistance, and affects treatment results, especially for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

There is currently no evidence that a sugar-free diet reduces the risk of cancer or increases patient survival. However, a long-term diet high in sugar can easily lead to obesity and overweight. This is a factor that increases the risk of many medical diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer diseases such as breast cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer…

Thus, sugar does not directly cause cancer but is an epidemiological factor related to increased risk of cancer. You should maintain a balanced diet with a variety of nutrient groups such as carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, essential vitamins and minerals to ensure adequate energy supply for the body.

Instead of completely eliminating sugar, you should limit refined sugar and processed foods such as soft drinks and candy. Prioritize healthy starch sources such as whole grains, legumes, and sweet potatoes, as they provide stable energy and are less likely to cause obesity. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons (25 g) of sugar per day for women and no more than 9 teaspoons (37 g) for men.

Patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat and sleep regularly, and exercise regularly to increase blood circulation and maintain a healthy weight. Increase vegetables and fruits that contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that help strengthen the immune system.