A recent study has raised alarms by highlighting the significant health risks associated with sugar-sweetened beverages worldwide. Researchers have found that these drinks, characterized by added sugars and more than 50 calories per 8-ounce serving, are contributing to an increasing number of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) cases. The comprehensive study, which analyzed data from 184 countries, reveals that sugary drinks are responsible for nearly 10% of type 2 diabetes cases and over 3% of CVD cases globally.
The study utilized data from the Global Dietary Database, which encompasses information from 118 countries, to assess the consumption patterns of sugar-sweetened beverages. On average, individuals consumed just over 2.5 eight-ounce servings of these drinks each week. However, this average masks significant regional variations. In Colombia, for instance, the average weekly consumption was a staggering 17.4 sugar-sweetened beverages per person. In contrast, countries like China, India, and Bangladesh reported a much lower average consumption of only 0.2 per week.
Researchers have identified sugar-sweetened beverages as a major contributor to type 2 diabetes and CVD, as well as an associated factor in weight gain. The study estimates that these beverages were responsible for 9.8% of type 2 diabetes cases and 3.1% of CVD cases worldwide in 2020. Notably, Mexico, Colombia, and South Africa were highlighted as having the highest incidence of diabetes and CVD linked to sugary drink consumption.
The situation is particularly dire in Latin America and the Caribbean, where approximately 24% of new type 2 diabetes cases and about 11% of new CVD cases can be attributed to sugar-sweetened beverages. The study also indicates that these drinks caused 5.1% of deaths from type 2 diabetes and 2.1% of deaths from CVD globally.
One notable limitation of the research is the lack of data on sweetened teas, which could have resulted in an underestimation of the impact of sugary drinks, especially in Asia where sweetened tea consumption is prevalent. Despite this limitation, the study provides a clear picture of the global health burden posed by sugar-sweetened beverages.
Globally, researchers estimated that sugary drinks are more likely to cause type 2 diabetes among men, individuals with higher education, and those living in urban areas. This demographic insight underscores the need for targeted interventions to curb the consumption of these harmful beverages.
Laura Lara-Castor, a leading voice on this issue, emphasized the urgent need for action:
“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
Lara-Castor further advocated for coordinated global efforts to address this issue:
“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
She also offered practical dietary advice:
“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
Karen Z. Berg, a nutritionist, suggested strategies for reducing soda intake:
“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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