It
seems
as
though
every
day
another
product
is
linked
to
a
higher
risk
of
cancer.
Growing

evidence
suggests
deli
meats,
alcohol,
sugar-sweetened
beverages
and
ultra-processed
snacks
may
contribute
to
colorectal
cancer.

In
recent
months,
people
have
become
increasingly
concerned
that
canned
sparkling
water
could
increase
your
risk,
too.
On


Instagram

and


TikTok,
influencers
claim
the
beverages,
which
are
often
marketed
as
a
healthy
alternative
to
soda,
contain
undisclosed
chemicals
and
high
levels
of


forever
chemicals

that
cause
cancer.

HuffPost
reached
out
to
two
colorectal
cancer
specialists
and

asked
them
for
their
take
on
the
sparkling
water
debate.
Here’s
what
they
said:

How
exactly
could
sparkling
water
be
linked
to
colorectal
cancer?

The
concern
about
sparkling
water
and
cancer
is
not
about
the
carbonated
drink
itself
but
the
containers
they
are
typically
packaged
in.
Many
cans
are
coated
with
protective
linings
or
are
exposed
to
contaminants
—
including
per-
and
polyfluoroalkyl
substances
(PFAS),
or
forever
chemicals
—
during
the
manufacturing
and
packaging
processes.
Other
packaging
includes
plastic
bottles,
which
are
also
more
heavily
linked
to
PFAS.

“They
are
often
referred
to
as
‘forever
chemicals’
because
they
persist
in
the
environment
and
accumulate
in
the
human
body,”
said
Dr.


Maen
Abdelrahim,
section
chief
of
Gastrointestinal
Medical
Oncology
at
Houston
Methodist.

Research

has
linked
PFAS
to
a
higher
risk
of
several
types
of
cancer,
including
kidney
and
testicular
cancer,
along
with
impaired
immunity,
liver
damage,
infertility
and
thyroid
disease.

Some


studies

have
found
PFAS
in
popular
sparkling
water
brands,
but
the
levels
often
fall
well
below
the
current
federal
advisory
limits,
according
to
Dr.


Steven
Lee-Kong,
division
chief
of
colorectal
surgery
at
Hackensack
Meridian
Health’s
Hackensack
University
Medical
Center.

According
to
Abdelrahim,

the
amount,
or
dosage,
of
PFAS
is
key,
and
the
amount
leached
from
beverage
cans
specifically
is
far
below
those
shown
to
cause
cancer
in
experimental
studies.

That
said,
even
low
levels
do
not
necessarily
guarantee
the
drinks
are
safe.
“The
science
is
evolving,
and
some
health
organizations
argue
that
even
very
low
levels
of
exposure
could
pose
a
risk,”
Lee-Kong
said.

How
might
PFAS
exposure,
in
general,
lead
to
cancer?

Abdelrahim
said
PFAS

can
“act
as
endocrine
disruptors,
promote
oxidative
stress,
alter
gene
expression,
or
interfere
with
DNA
repair,
which
in
theory,
could
contribute
to
carcinogenesis
over
long-term
exposure.”

In
addition,


evidence

suggests
PFAS
may
disrupt
the
intestinal
barrier.
Over
time,
these
disruptions
can
cause
gut
inflammation,
damage
to
the
intestinal
lining
and
changes
to
the
gut


microbiome
―

the
community
of
microorganisms
that
live
within
the
intestines,
Lee-Kong
explained.

There
is
a
well-established
link
between


chronic
inflammation

and
colorectal
cancer.
And
some
PFAS
may
alter
intestinal
cells
in
a
way
that

may


promote
tumor
growth.

“While
research
is
ongoing
and
some
findings
are
inconsistent,
the
potential
for
PFAS
to
promote
gut
inflammation
and
cellular
changes
is
the
primary
mechanism
of
concern
for
colorectal
cancer
risk,”
Lee-Kong
said.

So,
should
you
be
concerned
sparkling
water
could
increase
your
risk
of
colorectal
cancer?

The
truth:
It’s
unclear
as
the
science
is

still
in
its
infancy.
Abdelrahim
noted
there’s
currently
no
direct
evidence
concluding
that
canned
sparkling
water
or
seltzer
can
give
you
colon
cancer.

“Based
on
current
evidence,
canned
sparkling
water
is
not
considered
a
significant
source
of
PFAS
exposure,”
he
explained.

More
long-term
studies
are
needed
to
better
understand
the
relationship
between
canned
beverages
and
cancer
risk.
Until
then,
it’s
best
to
be
a
mindful
consumer,
according
to
Lee-Kong.
His
advice?
Drink
sparkling
water
in
moderation,
and
diversify
your
beverage
choices.

In
general,
the
safest
and
most
effective
way
to
stay
hydrated
is
through
water
that’s
ideally
been
filtered.
“When
you
do
choose
canned
beverages,
do
so
as
part
of
a
balanced
and
varied
diet,”
Lee-Kong
said.

Other
than
that,
Abdelrahim
recommended
focusing
on
the
well-established
modifiable
colorectal
cancer
risk
factors.
This
includes
“maintaining
a
healthy
weight,
limiting
processed
and
red
meat,
avoiding
tobacco,
moderating
alcohol,
staying
physically
active,
and
following
age-appropriate
screening
guidelines,”
he
said.

Finally,
know
that
regulatory
organizations,
such
as
the
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(EPA),
should
be
taking
this
issue
seriously
and
are
continuously
investigating
the
risk.

“Staying
informed
through
reliable
sources
like
the
EPA
and
being
mindful
of
your
consumption
habits
are
practical
steps
everyone
can
take
for
their
long-term
health,”
Lee-Kong
said.

The
original
version
of
this
story
was
published
on
HuffPost
at
an
earlier
date.