The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is significantly contributing to the global burden of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recent studies highlight that these beverages could be responsible for nearly 10% of type 2 diabetes cases and over 3% of CVD cases worldwide. The issue is particularly acute in Latin America and the Caribbean, where sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to about 24% of new type 2 diabetes cases and approximately 11% of new CVD cases. These alarming figures call for immediate action to curtail the intake of sugary drinks globally.
In 2020, researchers estimated that sugar-sweetened beverages were accountable for approximately 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million new cardiovascular cases. The global trend from 1990 to 2020 showed an increase of 1.3% in type 2 diabetes cases attributable to these beverages. Sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most significant rise in these cases, highlighting a concerning trend in developing regions.
Consumption patterns vary widely across the globe. In Colombia, individuals consumed an average of 17.4 sugar-sweetened beverages weekly, whereas in China, India, and Bangladesh, the average was a mere 0.2 per week. South Asia reported an average weekly consumption of 0.7 beverages, while Latin America and the Caribbean averaged 7.3 beverages each week. On a global scale, individuals consumed just over two and a half eight-ounce sugar-sweetened drinks weekly.
This disparity in consumption aligns with the statistics showing that Latin America and the Caribbean are most affected by sugar-sweetened beverages' impact on type 2 diabetes and CVD cases. Mexico, Colombia, and South Africa report the highest number of attributable cases. These regions face a substantial public health challenge due to high sugary drink consumption.
The health implications extend beyond individual well-being, impacting national economies through decreased productivity and increased medical expenses. Laura Lara-Castor emphasized the urgency of the situation:
“If we do not act promptly with strategies to decrease SSB [sugar-sweetened beverage] intakes, we will see a continued rise in the attributable cardiometabolic burdens. This will continue to impose not only a decreased quality of life of the people with the disease and their caregivers, but also to the countries’ economy, given a decreased individual productivity and increased medical expenses.”— Laura Lara-Castor
Globally, men, people with higher education, and urban dwellers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to sugary beverage consumption. To combat this, coordinated public-policy efforts are essential. Lara-Castor noted:
“There will need to be coordinated public-policy efforts around the world to limit sugary drink intake. As this study shows, sugary drink intake differs in different parts of the world by various demographics. This provides an opportunity to enact targeted public policies depending on the region to improve health outcomes.”— Laura Lara-Castor
In addition to governmental actions, individuals can take steps to reduce their intake of sugary beverages. Lara-Castor advises choosing water over sugary drinks and suggests:
“I always recommend that people avoid drinking their calories and instead, just opt for water. Homemade unsweetened iced tea or sparkling waters are also okay to consume in moderation, but sugary beverages really have no place in a healthy diet.”— Laura Lara-Castor
For those looking to gradually reduce their consumption of sugary drinks, Karen Z. Berg recommends small changes:
“There are two ways to drink less soda and avoid sugary beverages. You can make a serious effort to give these things up cold turkey and just stick to water, or you can do so gradually. I think flavoring seltzer with fresh or frozen fruit is a great way to get the carbonation people crave, with some flavor you can feel good about.”— Karen Z. Berg
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