High-Salt, High-Sugar Diet Could Be Raising Your Lung Cancer Risk—Experts Explain How (Image Credits: iStock)
A recent study has revealed that the Western diet, often loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, may significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. While poor dietary habits have long been linked to cancers of the liver and pancreas, this research suggests that what we eat could also play a crucial role in lung cancer development.
How Diet Influences Lung Cancer Risk
According to Professor Ramon Sun, director of the University of Florida’s Center for Advanced Spatial Biomolecule Research, lung cancer has not traditionally been associated with dietary factors. Diseases like pancreatic or liver cancer, yes. However, when it comes to lung cancer, the idea that diet could play a role is rarely discussed, he explained.
The study, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, focused on glycogen accumulation, a storage molecule made up of glucose. Previous research has shown that excessive glycogen accumulation can fuel tumour growth in various cancers. The researchers found that in lung cancer cases, glycogen acts as a powerful oncogenic metabolite, essentially serving as a giant lollipop for cancer’s sweet tooth.
When mice were fed a high-fat, high-fructose Western diet, their blood glycogen levels spiked, and lung tumours grew more aggressively. Conversely, when glycogen levels were reduced, tumour growth slowed significantly. This suggests that excess glycogen provides fuel for lung cancer cells, helping them grow faster and more aggressively.
Glycogen is an exceptionally good predictor of tumour growth and survival rates in lung cancer patients, Sun emphasized.
What Can Be Done
Given the increasing prevalence of processed and fast foods in Western diets, researchers are urging greater public awareness of the link between nutrition and lung cancer. Professor Sun called for policy-driven strategies similar to anti-smoking campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of a high-fat, high-sugar diet.
But beyond government policies, individual lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of diet-related cancers.
Lifestyle Changes to Keep Your Health in Check
If the Western diet contributes to lung cancer risk, shifting to a healthier lifestyle can help lower it. Here is what experts recommend
Adopt a Whole Food Diet – Choose whole, unprocessed foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, and lean proteins. Incorporate plenty of vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds into your meals.
Cut Down on Sugar and Processed Carbs – High fructose intake from sodas and processed foods contributes to glycogen accumulation. Swap sugary drinks for water, herbal tea, or fresh juices.
Opt for Healthy Fats – Replace saturated fats from fried foods with healthy fats like avocados, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Stay Active – Regular physical activity helps regulate blood sugar levels, reducing excess glycogen storage that may fuel tumour growth. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
Limit Alcohol Consumption – Alcohol has been linked to multiple cancers, including lung cancer. Reducing intake can support overall health and reduce risk factors.
Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke – While diet plays a role, smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer. Pairing a healthy diet with smoke-free living is the best way to protect lung health.
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