With summer in full swing, experts are warning against enjoying popular canned cocktails over fears they may accelerate cancer development.
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that it can cause damage to cell DNA.
Studies have shown the substance, even in small amounts, can increase the risk of developing mouth, throat, larynx, esophageal, colorectal, liver and breast cancers.
‘Technically, alcohol is a carcinogen. Your body metabolizes the alcohol you drink into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which is classified as a carcinogen,’ Dr Nishan Tchekmedyian, a hematologist and oncologist at City of Hope in Irvine, California, told the Daily Mail.
‘Alcohol can also increase cancer recurrence in certain cases. For example, studies show that breast cancer survivors who drank more than three to four drinks per week were at a higher risk for recurrence.’
Popular pre-made canned cocktails make enjoying a drink easier than ever.
The demand for alcoholic canned cocktails increased by 20 percent in 2023, and the drinks continue to gain popularity among those under the age of 45, according to a study by Veylinx.
However, doctors caution even if a beverage has low alcohol by volume (ABV), the ingredients that come with the convenience – including food dyes and preservatives – can increase the risk of developing disease and neurological conditions.
The National Institute of Health has found Yellow 5 to be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens
Experts are particularly concerned about colon cancer.
Early onset colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men under the age of 50 and the second-leading cause for women under 50 in the US.
Over 50,000 Americans are expected to die from colorectal cancer this year, while 150,000 are predicted to be diagnosed with the disease.
While still a minority, experts remain concerned about increasing cases among younger people. Officials estimate 2,600 new cases among those under 50.
Canned cocktails such as Smirnoff Ice Red White & Berry are known to contain Blue 1, Red 40 and sodium citrate as some of their primary ingredients.
A 2023 Toxicology Reports study conducted in mice found that Blue 1 dye can damage DNA and cause inflammation in the colon, potentially raising the risk of colon cancer.
Additionally, previous studies have shown that consumption of Blue 1 can cause seizures, liver damage, thyroid damage and may contribute to the development of tumors in the bladder and stomach.
The petroleum-based dye has also previously been associated with childhood behavioral problems, as well as infertility in adults.
Blue 1, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF, is a synthetic water-soluble food dye derived from petroleum that is used in various food items, drugs and cosmetics.
The dye – which is also a major ingredient in the Monaco Blue Crush canned cocktail – is known to cause allergic reactions and hyperactivity in children.
Canned cocktails such as Smirnoff Ice Red, White & Berry are known to contain Blue 1, Red 40 and sodium citrate as some of their primary ingredients
Red 40, or Allura Red AC, is made by extracting hydrocarbons from petroleum that are then processed with salts added to create a brilliant red color.
Food companies use the ingredient to make their goods more appealing to consumers, with Red 40 being the most commonly used food dye in the US having been found in more than 36,000 products.
But over recent decades, studies have suggested the coloring could be linked to hyperactivity, irritability and trouble focusing in children.
While the FDA notes that there is not enough evidence to classify Red 40 as a risk to human health, the European Union restricted its use in 2010 and California and West Virginia have also approved bans on the coloring.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has been cracking down on the use of Red 40 in all items across the country and is now ready to ban the dye, months after banning Red 3.
Sodium citrate is used as a preservative in many foods and drinks to control acidity and prevent ingredients from separating – it adds a sour and salty flavor and also works as an emulsifier in cheese, preventing it from becoming greasy when melted.
The preservative, found in both White Claw Hard Seltzer and Topo Chico Mango Hard Seltzer cans, has also been proven to promote the growth of cancerous tumors in the bladder.
Blue 1 is a major ingredient in the Monaco Blue Crush canned cocktail
Apart from this, experts are also warning against ready-to-drink beverages such as canned Aperol spritz, which contains Sunset Yellow FCF (an orange-yellow azo dye) and Ponceau 4R (a red azo dye).
Both dyes have been proven to cause allergic skin reactions in sensitive people, such as rash, eczema or hives, and can also lead to shortness of breath and asthma-like attacks.
Pictured: Dr Nishan Tchekmedyian, a hematologist and oncologist at City of Hope in Irvine, California
While current evidence does not point to a significant cancer risk in adults, studies have shown that excessive consumption of Ponceau 4R can lead to neurological disorders.
Experts believe that the dye contains traces of aluminum, a metal that has been previously linked to promoting the development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in the brain, which can lead to dementia and loss of motor activity.
Ingesting aluminum in high quantities can also change the composition of bacteria in the digestive tract (the microbiome) and disrupt the immune system, leading to inflammation.
Previous research has also found that Ponceau 4R can mimic the effects of estrogen in the women potentially affecting sexual function and leading to obesity.
High estrogen levels can increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast and uterine cancers, as it can stimulate the excessive growth of cells in these organs, turning them cancerous.
Another popular canned cocktail, especially with younger Americans, is BuzzBallz, which has nearly 30 grams of sugar per bottle and harmful dyes such as Yellow 5 and Blue 1, both of which have been linked to hyperactivity and neurological issues in multiple animal studies.
Sodium citrate is used as a preservative in many drinks including Topo Chico Mango Hard Seltzer
BuzzBallz drinks are made of harmful dyes such as Yellow 5 and Blue 1
‘I wouldn’t recommend drinking BuzzBallz, not even occasionally,’ Dr Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian, told the Daily Mail.
‘With 15 percent alcohol and nearly 30 grams of added sugar in a single serving, they pack an undesirable combination that can spike blood pressure and blood sugar, cause arrhythmias, strain the liver, promote fat buildup, and increase inflammation.
‘From a cardiovascular standpoint, these drinks pose unnecessary risk with no health benefit, and over time, they can negatively contribute to chronic conditions like heart disease, fatty liver and type 2 diabetes.’
Excess sugar consumption on a regular basis can pave the way for weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, both of which are major risks for cancer development.
According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 36 grams or 150 calories of sugar per day while women should consume no more than 25 grams or 100 calories of sugar per day.
Additionally, Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine, is a synthetic food dye approved by the FDA for use in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Some studies have linked the dye to hyperactivity in children and genotoxicity, meaning it can damage DNA and potentially lead to cancer in adults.
The National Institute of Health has also found Yellow 5 to be contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogens that can increase the risk of cancer development.
The Daily Mail has reached out Smirnoff, Monaco Blue, White Claw, Topo Chico and BuzzBallz for a comment, but has not heard back.
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