LONDON (Reuters) - People who drink plenty of sugary drinks are at increased risk for cancer, although their findings are not directly linked, researchers said on Thursday.

The findings of a large study by researchers in France indicate that reducing the intake of sugary drinks may help reduce the number of cases of cancer.

The consumption of sugary drinks has increased globally over the past few decades, which is linked to obesity, which in turn increases the risk of cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people should reduce daily intake of sugar to less than 10 percent of their total calorie intake. She says more cuts to less than 5 percent or about 25 grams per day are more beneficial to health.

Many countries, including Britain, Belgium, France, Hungary and Mexico, have imposed or are about to impose taxes on sugar to improve public health.

The new study, published in the British Medical Journal, analyzed 101,257 French adults, 21% of whom were men and 79% women, and evaluated their intake of sugary drinks.

The study continued for up to nine years between 2009 and 2018 to assess the risk of all cancers, especially breast, colon and prostate cancers.

An increase of 100 milliliters per day in drinking sugary drinks was associated with a 18% increase in the risk of cancer in general and 22% for breast cancer (Picasso)

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The researchers also took into account many factors in the risk of cancer, including age, gender, level of education, family history, smoking and levels of physical activity.

The results showed that an increase of 100 ml per day in drinking sugary drinks was associated with a 18% increase in the risk of cancer in general and 22% for breast cancer.

Experts who did not participate in the study said they were conducted correctly and based on strong foundations, but pointed out that their findings can not determine the cause or effect.

"Although this study does not provide a conclusive answer to the causal relationship between sugar and cancer, it reinforces the importance of the current trend to reduce the intake of sugar," said Emilya Lake, a public health expert at the University of Teesside.