Sugary drinks linked to cancer for all

Tobacco companies know about the overwhelming evidence that links cigarettes to cancer. But another crop of cancer-promoting substances may be just as much of a threat: sugary drinks.

Sugar-bomb beverages already have been connected to an increased risk of obesity, and we know obesity ups the risk for liver, kidney, colon, stomach, uterine, ovarian, prostate and stomach cancers. But now Australian researchers have published a study in Public Health Nutrition that found the more sugary drinks people consume, the more likely they are to develop those cancers — and the link stuck regardless of a person’s size and weight.

So, if you were rationalizing that your soda (or sweetened juice or energy drink) habit was OK because you weren’t gaining weight, think again. We suggest that you make water, or sparkling water with a spritz of lime or lemon, along with coffee and tea, your beverage of choice. You’ll likely reduce your cancer risk while reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes and boosting your heart health and brainpower.

Bust that bloat

When the corpulent cartoon starfish Patrick emerges from under his rock, he often complains of feeling out of sorts. In one episode, he asks Spongebob Squarepants, “How am I gonna feed my brain when all you have is fancy bubbly water?” before guzzling six bottles, and turning into a cascading mass of bloated marine life.

If you experience gassy, bloated feelings, it may be from drinking carbonated beverages and beer. But if your small intestine regularly suffers from bloating — along with gas, constipation or diarrhea — you may need to look further to identify what’s causing your troubles.

1. You’re gulping air (really) because you eat and drink too quickly, chew gum, drink fizzy water or smoke anything.

2. You’re reacting to certain foods, such as dairy or wheat/ barley/rye (they contain gluten). If you lack the digestive enzyme lactase, dairy can trigger gas and bloating, even cramping. Gluten-triggered belly woes may signal the autoimmune disease celiac, or a gluten allergy.

How to beat the bloat :

Eat slowly. Dodge carbonation.

Drink fennel tea with ginger to get your digestive enzymes going.

Massage clockwise around your belly button to stimulate movement of gas and food through your intestines.

Stop eating dairy and/ or gluten for a week. See if your symptoms subside.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.