Trump believes diet soda kills cancer cells, Dr Oz reveals

IARC classifications reflect the strength of evidence about whether something could cause cancer, not the likelihood that it actually will. Group 2B is the third of four levels, and typically indicates either limited evidence in humans or sufficient evidence in animals, but not both. In other words, evidence of a link exists, but it’s weak.

In 2022, a large cohort study in France involving more than 100,000 participants examined the relationship between artificial sweeteners and cancer risk. The findings indicated that aspartame was linked to a 15% higher risk of cancer. However, the study did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, and the results could be influenced by other factors such as participant behavior, confounding variables, or chance.

Research has indicated that aspartame may affect the gut microbiome, with potential consequences for metabolic health. Investigators at Cedars-Sinai reported that artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, are associated with various changes in different parts of the intestine. Compared to control groups, researchers observed meaningful differences in stool samples and intestinal microbial diversity.

Havovi Chichger, an associate professor at Anglia Ruskin University, previously told the Guardian: “There is now growing awareness of the health impacts of sweeteners such as saccharin, sucralose and aspartame, with our own previous work demonstrating the problems they can cause to the wall of the intestine and the damage to the ‘good bacteria’ which form in our gut.”

But while the science is still not definitive on showing a link between the artificial sweeteners in diet soda and cancer, there is no science that suggests diet soda can cure or prevent cancer.

Zachary Rubin, a Chicago-based pediatrician specializing in immunology, responded to the podcast by saying: “If Fanta is able to kill grass, then it could kill cancer cells, which means it must not be bad for you. Therefore, by the same logic, that would mean that bleach is a superfood, which we all know doesn’t make any sense.”

He then referenced Trump’s words during the Covid pandemic, where the president suggested alternative treatment methods such as injecting disinfectants and using “powerful light” inside the body.

“Maybe that’s why the president posted an AI image of himself in robes with glowing hands trying to heal somebody, because he thought that’s actually what doctors do,” Rubin joked.

Owais Durrani, an emergency physician based in Texas who previously worked in the Obama administration, responded to the podcast by posting: “Friendly reminder from a doctor, diet soda or soda does not kill cancer cells.”