Korean expert warns kimbap, tteok, juice, coffee threaten pancreatic health

A Korean radiology specialist warns that four everyday foods—kimbap, tteok (rice cake), fruit juice, and mixed coffee—may threaten pancreatic health due to their potential to trigger sharp blood sugar spikes. He says these spikes place chronic strain on the pancreas and could raise the risk of diabetes and, over time, pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Won-kyung Lee notes that rising sugar consumption is linked to diabetes and may contribute to pancreatic cancer risk, urging people to cut back on sugar in daily life. He also points to a recent uptick in diabetes diagnoses in Korea—about 19% over the past five years—and notes that Korean cuisine often features sweet flavors in sauces and occasionally in staple ingredients like gochujang.

Among the four foods, tteok tops the list as the worst for the pancreas. He describes rice cake as a refined carbohydrate that can provoke significant blood sugar increases. If consumption cannot be avoided, he suggests choosing brown-rice tteok, which has a lower glycemic impact and higher dietary fiber than white rice versions.

Commercially prepared kimbap is another risk he identifies. He explains that the rice inside many kimbap rolls can contain sweeteners, adding to refined carbohydrate content and overall sugar exposure. A typical roll built from white rice, plus fillings such as processed meats or cheese, can range from about 450 to 600 kilocalories, with higher calories when tuna or cheese are added.

Fruit juice and mixed coffee are highlighted as well. The doctor argues that blended fruit drinks deliver sugar quickly to the bloodstream, causing rapid glucose surges. Mixed coffee beverages, which often include added sugar and creamer, can also raise blood sugar rapidly and, with daily use, may increase the risk of high cholesterol and diabetes.

The piece notes that the pancreas, unlike the liver, has limited regenerative capacity, and pancreatic cancer often presents few early symptoms, making prevention through diet particularly important. It advocates increasing intake of high-fiber green-yellow vegetables and reducing added sugars in processed foods as a precaution.

Why this matters beyond Korea: for U.S. readers, the guidance touches on universal concerns about refined carbohydrates and added sugars in popular foods. As American diets increasingly feature sugar-sweetened beverages, ready-to-eat meals, and blended fruit drinks, the discussion highlights potential implications for public health policy, nutrition labels, and consumer choices related to diabetes, obesity, and cancer risk. The report also reflects a broader, global emphasis on metabolic health and the role of everyday diet in long-term disease prevention.