Fruit, Dark Chocolate, and a Smart Sweet Tooth: Oncologists Share Their Go-To Treats
Three oncologists explain that sugar does not directly feed tumors; the cancer risk linked to sugar is indirect, via added sugars that drive caloric intake and obesity, which is tied to many cancers. They advise minimizing sugar-sweetened beverages—the largest source of added sugar in the American diet—and instead opt for naturally sweet foods like fruit (which bring fiber and antioxidants) or a small portion of dark chocolate. Meta-analyses have linked regular fruit consumption with a lower risk of colorectal and lung cancer; the message is balance, not deprivation, with emphasis on whole foods while keeping refined sugar to modest levels (NCCN guidance suggests under six teaspoons daily).
