International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 11 Issue: 06 | Jun 2024
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p-ISSN: 2395-0072
“Sweet Truths: Understanding How Sugar Affects Cancer Growth” Link between Cancer and Sugar Consumption in India Aashvi Rajani --------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------Abstract - This research paper summarizes the relationship between sugar and cancer, along with comparing the growth rates of the consumption of sugary products such as chocolates and soft drinks, to the number of cancer cases. Then, there is the correlation of each sugar product along with cancer cases and multi correlation between all of them.
1. INTRODUCTION In India, 1 in 9 people are at the risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Myriads of lives have been ravaged by the disease, and yet, cancer remains an unavoidable illness in people’s minds. However, recent research points towards multiple factors that are associated with one’s chances of developing cancer. These include obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, and recently, excess sugar consumption. This paper will delve into the link between sugar consumption and an increased incidence of cancer in the country. The research does not intend to establish causation, that is, to say that an increased sugar consumption has lead to more people developing cancer. Rather, the aim is to comment on the trends proving that both sugar consumption and cancer rates are following alarmingly similar trajectories in the country.
2. FOOD HABITS OF INDIANS: India has a varied cuisine, but the Indian diet is mainly cereal based and lacks sufficient nutrients. Most Indians consume less than the 2503 kcal/capita/day recommendation, while only the richest 5% are able to meet this guideline. Out of this, a meagre 6-8% calories come from protein, while whole grains contribute to most of the diet. Whole grains comprise of cereals like wheat, rice, bajra, maize, barley, etc. The average Indian household consumes more processed food than fruits, which it is now reflecting on the overall health of citizens. With some states being vegetarian diet-centric, a lack of fish, meat and eggs consumption may also be contributing to the illnesses. The disparity in the country is evident as both rural and urban households receive fewer than required calories, while rich households consume 3000 kcal/ day. This is 20% higher than required, and almost twice as the poorest house- holds’ diets. The imbalance in diet has given rise to malnutrition and diseases such as obesity, anemia, and diabetes. An even more alarming statistic is that of sugar-sweetened beverages. In urban India, every week adolescents consume 1.8 cans of cola per week, and this might result in a weight gain of 1.3 kg per child per year. Indians consume roughly 25.17kg of sugar per person per year, which exceeds the worldwide consumption of 23.7 kg/year. A change in the Indian lifestyle is leading to an even greater increase in sugar consumption every year. During 2018-2019, the sugar consumption was 27.5 million metric tons, which shot up to 30.51 million metric tons during 2023-2024.
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