Key TakeawaysSugar-sweetened beverages may increase the risk of liver cancerArtificially sweetened drinks did not show the same associationThe findings add to concerns about long-term health effects of sugary beverages.WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — If you regularly drink soda or other sugary beverages, a new study may give you a reason to cut back.Researchers analyzed dietary data from more than 1.5 million adults across 11 long-term investigations. They wanted to find out whether drinking sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages was associated with liver cancer risk.Participants filled out food frequency questionnaires and were followed through state cancer registries or health surveys for an average of nearly 18 years.The result: Higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an increased risk of two major liver cancer subtypes: hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, known as ICC.In contrast, intake of artificially sweetened beverages was not associated with liver cancer overall or with either subtype.The study, led by Cody Watling of the National Cancer Institute, was published June 10 in JAMA Network Open.While it does not prove that sugary drinks cause liver cancer, the authors say their findings add to growing evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to adverse long-term health outcomes.More informationThe American Heart Association has more on the health affects of sugar-sweetened beverages.SOURCE: HealthDay TV, June 10, 2026 .What This Means For YouRegularly drinking sugary beverages may increase your risk of liver cancer, adding another reason to limit them as part of a healthy lifestyle..Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter