A spokesperson for the BSDA said that the study “does not justify the headlines about soft drinks causing an increased risk”.
“Bodies such as Cancer Research UK and the World Cancer Research Fund list factors such as smoking, diet, certain medical conditions, body weight and fatness, physical inactivity and family history as affecting the risk of pancreatic cancer, but this study did not take them all into account,” said the spokesperson.
“Furthermore, a number of its findings are inconsistent with other well-established studies on this issue. The authors themselves observe that the outcome of the study could have arisen by chance and that limitations within the study methodology do not allow for conclusive findings.
“Soft drinks are safe to drink but, like all food and drink, they should be consumed as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle,” added the spokesperson.
To read FoodNavigator’s coverage of the study, please click here.