Sugar has been linked to increasing the risk of breast and lung cancer in a study of mice.
Researchers from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre have shown how a high intake of sugar can increase the risk of breast cancer and metastasis to the lungs.
This, scientists believe, is because of sugar's impact on inflammatory pathways in the body.
In the wake of the results, they hope to look further into the effects of sugar on tumour growth in mice.
Researchers conducted four different studies in which mice were fed one of four diets.
The study found that 30% of mice on starch diets had measurable tumours after six months. Meanwhile 50-58% of mice on a sucrose-enriched diet had mammary tumours by that same age.
It also found that numbers of lung tumours were significantly higher in mice on sucrose and fructose-enriched diets, compared to mice on a starch-control diet.
Peiying Yang, assistant professor of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine at the University Of Texas, said: "We found that sucrose intake in mice, comparable to levels of Western diets, led to increased tumour growth and metastasis, when compared to a non-sugar starch diet.
"This was due, in part, to increased expression of 12-LOX and a related fatty acid called 12-HETE."
Previous epidemiological studies have shown that dietary sugar intake has an impact on breast cancer development, with inflammation thought to play a role.
Lorenzo Cohen, professor of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, added: "We determine that it was specifically fructose, in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, ubiquitous within our food system, which was responsible for facilitating lung metastasis and 12-HETE production in breast tumours."
Cohen said the data suggested that dietary sugar induces 12-LOX signalling to increase risks for breast cancer development and metastasis.
This is the first study to look at the direct link between sugar and cancer in animals. It was published in the online issue of Cancer Research.
Common Names For Added Sugar
Agave (01 of21)
Open Image ModalThis plant based syrup has a sweet mild flavour and is used in making alcoholic beverages like Tequila. (credit:Bill Boch via Getty Images)
Barley Malt(02 of21)
Open Image ModalBlackstrap Molasses(03 of21)
Open Image ModalDark dregs of molasses get boiled down a bit more to make sweet blackstrap molasses. And while many health enthusiasts praise the syrup, it should be noted that it only contains a fraction of the iron, calcium and phosphates found in sugar cane. (credit:Spyderella/Flickr)
Brown Sugar(04 of21)
Open Image ModalNo, brown sugar isn't the 'whole wheat' version of sugar, it is actually white sugar combined with molasses. (credit:Shutterstock / IngridHS)
Cane Sugar / Syrup(05 of21)
Open Image ModalThis thick sweetener is derived from sugar cane. (credit:MVorobiev)
Caramel(06 of21)
Open Image ModalCooked sugar is still sugar, so if you're looking to cut out added sugars you should definitely be avoiding caramel. (credit:Laura Groesbeck via Getty Images)
Concentrated Fruit Juice(07 of21)
Open Image ModalFresh fruits are absolutely good for you, but concentrated fruit juice is just too sweet. Think of this stuff as all the overwhelming sweetness from 12 fruits with none of the nutritious fibre. (credit:Erwin Purnomosidi via Getty Images)
Corn Syrup(08 of21)
Open Image ModalThis thick, sweet syrup is made from cornstarch, and is a key ingredient in frosting, candies, jams and jellies. (credit:PRImageFactory via Getty Images)
Demerara Sugar(09 of21)
Open Image ModalThis coarse raw sugar originated from the Demerara area of Guyana. It's toffee-like flavour makes a good alternative to brown sugar. (credit:Joy Skipper via Getty Images)
High-Fructose Corn Syrup(10 of21)
Open Image ModalHoney(11 of21)
Open Image ModalThis sweet liquid doesn't get its colour and flavour from bees, its sweet taste actually comes from flower nectar. (credit:Ljupco Smokovski via Getty Images)
Icing Sugar(12 of21)
Open Image ModalThere's not a huge difference between granulated and powdered sugar. Powdered sugar is in fact granulated sugar ground super fine. (credit:Dave King)
Lactose(13 of21)
Open Image ModalThis sugar, derived from milk can be quite difficult for both children and adults to digest. (credit:Shutterstock / Subbotina Anna)
Liquid Sugar(14 of21)
Open Image ModalThis simple syrup is made with a combination of granulated sugar and water. (credit:David Murray and Jules Selmes via Getty Images)
Maple Syrup(15 of21)
Open Image ModalMade from the sap in maple trees, maple syrup is often served on its own. (credit:Chefmd via Getty Images)
Molasses(16 of21)
Open Image ModalAnother byproduct of sugar cane, molasses is used in everything from baked beans to gingerbread. (credit:Rachel Husband via Getty Images)
Muscovado Sugar(17 of21)
Open Image ModalYet another cane sugar, muscavado is a moist brown sugar with strong molasses flavour. (credit:Gary Ombler via Getty Images)
Nectar(18 of21)
Open Image ModalThis super sweet liquid is what attracts bees to flowers. (credit:sf_foodphoto)
Raw Sugar(19 of21)
Open Image ModalRaw sugar is what is left from sugar cane after the molasses is removed. While it looks and tastes like light brown sugar it is structurally very different. (credit:Yuri Arcurs via Getty Images)
Rice Syrup(20 of21)
Open Image ModalThis thick syrup is made from the starch found in rice. (credit:Bill Boch via Getty Images)
Turbinado Sugar(21 of21)
Open Image ModalThis cane sugar is less processed than brown sugar and gives off a smooth caramel flavour. (credit:David Bishop Inc. via Getty Images)