Does a sugar-rich diet make you more vulnerable to cancer? Stanford University study reveals the truth: ‘A high intake of added sugar adds…'

High sugar content is linked with type two diabetes. But is it likely to increase the risk of cancer or encourage growth of cancerous cells? A 2025 Stanford University study revealed the truth around the question: Does sugar feed cancer? According to the article, old research claimed that cancer cells, unlike normal cells, don’t break down glucose to generate energy; they transform it into a simple molecule called lactate.

Jiangbin Ye, PhD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Stanford Medicine whose research explores the relationship between metabolism and cancer, explains that the metabolic changes seen in tumours are not simply a matter of producing energy differently. More importantly, these alterations can influence a cell’s fundamental identity. His research indicates that when the way a cell handles glucose is disrupted, it can affect the activity of numerous genes. As certain genes become more active while others are suppressed, cells may gradually lose the characteristics that define their original tissue.

As a result, a liver cell may no longer behave like a normal liver cell, while a lung cell can lose many of the functions associated with healthy lung tissue. This breakdown of cellular specialization is considered one of the important features associated with cancer development.


Erika Connor, a certified oncology dietitian at Stanford Health Care, explained the intricate relationship between cancer and sugar.

All Cells Use Sugar As Fuel

If you eliminate sugar from your diet, your body will convert protein and fats to generate glucose. However, cancerous cells use glucose faster than healthy ones.

Diet Won’t Make A Difference

Even if you completely cut out sugar from your diet, your cells will find alternative ways to obtain glucose from amino acids in proteins and fatty acids in fats.

Avoid Added Sugar

People, especially patients undergoing treatment, should steer clear of added sugar processed foods and sweetened beverages and enjoy natural sugars in fruits and grains.

Consuming large amounts of added sugar can place an additional burden on the body, particularly when it comes to blood sugar regulation. When glucose levels rise, the body responds by releasing more insulin. Persistently elevated insulin and blood sugar levels may contribute to inflammation, potentially creating conditions within the body that are less supportive of recovery and may complicate the healing process during treatment.

Connor advises prioritising nutrient-rich, minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and other legumes, along with nuts and seeds. Although some of these foods naturally contain sugar, they also provide dietary fibre, which helps slow the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. This allows glucose to enter the bloodstream more gradually and can help maintain steadier blood sugar levels. In contrast, highly processed sugary foods and sweetened beverages can deliver large amounts of sugar rapidly, making blood glucose rise much more quickly.