By Mike, The SugarFreeMan
Founder of SugarDetox.com and the 30-Day Sugar Freedom Challenge

I need to tell you something that’s been keeping me up at night.

For our upcoming Kick Sugar Summit, I’ve been interviewing experts from around the world – researchers, doctors, nutritionists who’ve dedicated their careers to understanding what sugar does to the human body.

And here’s what shocks me: They’re all saying the same thing. Every single one of them.

But here’s what shocks me even more: Most of them tell me they’re pioneers in their own countries. That the general population isn’t ready to hear what they’re finding. That they’re fighting an uphill battle against an industry that doesn’t want you to know what they know.

Sound familiar? That’s exactly where we’ve been for over a decade at SugarDetox.com.

But something’s changing. The evidence is piling up. And some of the most respected cancer researchers in the world are starting to say things publicly that would have gotten them laughed out of their institutions ten years ago.

When the president of one of the world’s most prestigious cancer centers says he’s eliminated sugar from his diet because he believes it reduces cancer risk, we need to pay attention.

Let me show you what I’m talking about.

This article was review by Dr. Camela McGrath, MD, FACOG. Find more about her here

What Top Cancer Researchers Are Saying About Sugar (In Their Own Words)

While preparing for the Kick Sugar Summit, I came across a presentation by Gary Taubes – a Harvard-educated science writer and author who’s spent decades investigating nutrition research. What he uncovered made my blood run cold.

These aren’t quotes from alternative health bloggers or fringe websites. These are statements from the directors of America’s most respected cancer research institutions:

“I have eliminated refined sugar from my diet and eat as little as I possibly can, because I believe ultimately it’s something I can do to reduce my risk of cancer.”
– Dr. Craig Thompson, President and CEO of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Let that sink in for a moment.

The man who runs one of the world’s leading cancer treatment and research centers has personally eliminated sugar from his diet because of what he knows about the connection between sugar and cancer.

And he’s not alone.

“Sugar scares me.”
– Dr. Lewis Cantley, Director of the Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York

Three words. From one of the most brilliant cancer researchers in the world.

Sugar scares me.

Not “Sugar might be concerning” or “We need more research.” He’s scared. Of sugar.

These aren’t anti-sugar activists. These are scientists who’ve spent their entire careers studying how cancer develops and spreads. And what they’re discovering about sugar’s role is changing how they live their own lives.

Why Cancer Researchers Are Worried (The Science They’re Seeing)

You might be wondering: What exactly are these researchers seeing that scares them so much?

Here’s the short version, in language that actually makes sense:

Cancer cells consume sugar at rates 10 to 12 times higher than normal cells. This isn’t speculation – it’s how PET scans work. Doctors inject radioactive sugar into your body, and cancer cells light up because they’re consuming it faster than anything else.

Dr. Cantley’s research shows that insulin and a related hormone called IGF-1 (which spike when you eat sugar) can directly promote cancer cell growth. High levels of these hormones essentially act like fertilizer for cancer cells.

According to research published in Cancer Research, the link between sugar consumption and cancer risk operates through several mechanisms: chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity, and direct effects on cellular growth pathways.

But here’s what really matters to you:

This isn’t just about preventing cancer decades from now. This is about what’s happening in your body right now, today, every time you eat sugar.

What Happens in Your Body When You Eat Sugar:

• Your blood sugar spikes, triggering a flood of insulin
• Insulin tells your cells to absorb glucose – excess gets stored as fat
• Chronically high insulin levels promote inflammation
• Inflation creates an environment where abnormal cells can thrive
• Insulin and IGF-1 signal cells to grow and divide

This isn’t happening once in a while. This is happening every single day, multiple times a day, in most people’s bodies.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While genetics play a role, metabolic factors – including sugar consumption – are increasingly recognized as contributors we can influence.

The Future Is Here – It’s Just Not Widely Distributed Yet

There’s a quote I love from William Gibson:

“The future is here. It’s just not widely distributed yet.”

That’s exactly where we are with sugar and health.

The top researchers know. The evidence is mounting. The science is becoming undeniable. Major cancer centers are changing their cafeteria offerings. Oncologists are quietly advising their own families to cut back on sugar.

But the general public?

Most people are still consuming high amounts of added sugar daily, often without realizing it.

The knowledge exists. The solutions exist. The future where sugar is understood as the health threat it really is – that future is already here.

It just hasn’t reached most people yet.

Why Isn’t Everyone Talking About This?

• The food industry is powerful – sugar is in most packaged foods
• It’s hard to study sugar in isolation over long periods
• People don’t want to believe it – sugar is tied to comfort and culture
• Researchers are cautious in public statements

But the tide is turning.

The Signs Are Already Here – In Your Own Body

You don’t need to wait for headlines or permission.

The signs are already here. Right now. In your own body.

• Low energy
• Weight gain
• Brain fog
• Mood swings
• Constant cravings

Your body is trying to tell you something.

But that signal gets drowned out by:

• Advertising
• Social norms
• Conflicting information
• Internal resistance

If you can tune out that noise, the answer becomes simple:

Cut the sugar. Eat real food. Give your body a chance to heal.

Research shows metabolic improvements can begin within weeks of dietary change.

“The signs are already here. The signals in your own body are here. If you tune out the noise, the answers are pretty simple.”

I Can’t Decide For You (But I Can Walk With You)

After 35 years sugar-free, I’ve learned something:

I can’t make this decision for you.

You have to choose it.

You have to commit.

But I can promise you this:

Once you decide to change your relationship with sugar, you’ll have a friend for life in me.

“I’ll go to the gates of hell with you – but I can’t carry you there.”

Why Top Researchers Quit Sugar (And Why You Should Too)

These researchers are seeing data years before it reaches the public.

And what are they doing?

They’re changing their own behavior.

The Evidence You Can’t Ignore:

• Cancer cells consume more sugar than normal cells
• High insulin promotes cell growth
• Chronic inflammation supports disease development
• Metabolic syndrome increases cancer risk

You don’t need perfect proof to make a better decision.

Don’t Wait Until January 1st

Every year, people delay change.

Then nothing happens.

Break that cycle.

What Starting Now Looks Like:

• Make a real decision – not “I should,” but “I will”
• Choose a start date within the next week
• Tell someone you trust
• Remove temptations
• Get support
• Commit fully

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start following a proven path, the 30-Day Sugar Detox Challenge is designed to guide you step by step.

You don’t need another resolution.

You need a decision.

The Future You’re Creating Right Now

Every day, you’re shaping your future health.

Every choice matters.

The researchers are acting now.

You can too.

The healthier, stronger, sugar-free version of you already exists.

The only question is:

When will you step into it?

Not if.

When.

About the Author

Mike Collins, known as “The SugarFreeMan,” has been sugar-free for over 35 years and is the founder of SugarDetox.com. He has helped tens of thousands of people break free from sugar addiction through an approach that combines nutritional science with practical behavior change.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

FAQ

Q: Why are cancer researchers worried about sugar consumption? A: Top cancer researchers like Dr. Craig Thompson (President of Memorial Sloan-Kettering) and Dr. Lewis Cantley (Director of Weill Cornell’s Cancer Center) have personally eliminated sugar from their diets because research shows cancer cells consume sugar at rates 10-12 times higher than normal cells. High insulin levels triggered by sugar consumption can directly promote cancer cell growth, while chronic inflammation from sugar creates an environment where abnormal cells thrive.

Q: What is the connection between sugar and cancer cell growth? A: Cancer cells require significantly more glucose than normal cells – this is actually how PET scans detect cancer. When you consume sugar, your body releases insulin and IGF-1 hormones that act like fertilizer for cancer cells, signaling them to grow and divide. Additionally, chronically high insulin levels promote systemic inflammation, creating conditions where cancer cells can thrive instead of being eliminated by your immune system.

Q: What did Dr. Craig Thompson say about sugar and cancer? A: Dr. Craig Thompson, President of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, stated: “I have eliminated refined sugar from my diet and eat as little as I possibly can, because I believe ultimately it’s something I can do to reduce my risk of cancer.” This is significant because it shows one of the world’s leading cancer treatment specialists has changed his personal diet based on the research he’s seeing.

Q: Why isn’t the sugar-cancer connection more widely known if the research is clear? A: Several factors prevent wider awareness: the food industry’s significant financial power and influence over research; the difficulty of conducting long-term controlled studies on sugar; people’s resistance to believing something so ubiquitous is harmful; and scientists’ training to be conservative with public statements even when their personal behavior reflects concern. However, the evidence is mounting and becoming harder to ignore.

Q: How quickly can dietary changes affect cancer risk? A: Research shows that metabolic changes from dietary interventions can occur within weeks, not years. While reducing sugar consumption cannot cure existing cancer, creating an internal environment with lower insulin levels, less inflammation, and reduced cancer-promoting signals can begin immediately. Cancer researchers have eliminated sugar from their own diets based on this understanding of how metabolic factors influence cancer development.

Q: Should I wait until January 1st to start a sugar detox? A: No. The pattern of waiting for New Year’s resolutions typically leads to failure – most people abandon their resolutions by early February. If you’re ready to make a change, the best time is when you’re actually motivated and committed, regardless of the calendar date. Starting when you’re ready (rather than waiting for an arbitrary date) significantly increases your chances of long-term success.