{
  "id": 364198,
  "title": "Dietitians agree — cut back on 1 thing for better gut health, energy, and lower risk of cancer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/dietitians-agree-cut-back-on-1-thing-for-better-gut-health-energy-and",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-09T09:09:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/1-thing-dietitians-agree-you-should-cut-better-health-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dietitians unanimously advise reducing consumption of sugary drinks for improved gut health, increased energy levels, and reduced risk of cancer. Excessive sugar present in soda and energy drinks is connected to health hazards such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, tooth decay, liver damage, and kidney disease. Sugary drinks represent a concentrated source of sugar, leading to swift blood sugar spikes and crashes. Marian Neuhouser, a dietitian at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, has discovered a link between increased sugar intake and heightened cancer risk. While diet sodas can aid in cutting back on sugar, they are not without risks, as artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and stevia may disrupt the gut microbiome and potentially lead to heart health or metabolism issues over time. The experts recommend primarily drinking plain water throughout the day, opting for seltzer or 100% fruit juice for a hint of fizz and flavor, and turning to coffee and tea for an energy boost, while avoiding added cream and sugar.",
  "summary": "Dietitians say one type of ultra-processed food may be especially bad for risk of cancer and heart disease. More than half of us indulge in it daily.",
  "key_points": [
    "Reduce sugary drink consumption for better gut health.",
    "Excessive sugar linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes.",
    "Plain water recommended as primary beverage."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}