Key information
- Sugary drinks are responsible for about 5 percent of all deaths attributed to type 2 diabetes and 2 percent of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease.
- Between 1990 and 2020, the global proportion of type 2 diabetes cases linked to sugary drinks increased by 1.3 percentage points.
- The beverage industry has shifted its focus to emerging markets where populations are more responsive to marketing campaigns promoting “Western” lifestyles.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine highlighted the significant impact of sugary drinks on global health. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston conducted a comprehensive analysis, examining data from dietary surveys involving nearly 3 million people in 118 countries representing 90 percent of the world’s population. Their findings revealed a worrying correlation between consumption of sugary drinks and increases in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Between 1990 and 2020, sugary drinks contributed to approximately 5 percent of all deaths attributed to type 2 diabetes and 2 percent of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the global proportion of type 2 diabetes cases linked to sugary drinks increased by 1.3 percentage points during this period. While the burden of type 2 diabetes has increased globally, the burden of cardiovascular disease has remained relatively stable.
Regional health results
This study analyzed data on sugary drink consumption from 450 surveys spanning several decades. Researchers found that these drinks were responsible for an estimated 12.5 million years of healthy life lost to the disease between 1990 and 2020. Of these losses, 5 million were attributed to type 2 diabetes and 7.6 million were linked to cardiovascular disease.
Latin America and the Caribbean regions recorded the highest proportion of cases of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease associated with the consumption of sugary drinks. In contrast, countries in Southeast and East Asia saw the lowest impact. While Latin America recorded the highest number of cases of type 2 diabetes linked to sugary drinks, the Middle East and North Africa region recorded the highest number of cases of cardiovascular disease attributed to these drinks.
Consequences of consuming sugary drinks
The study classified sugary drinks as drinks with added sugars and at least 50 calories, including sodas, fruit juices with added sugars, energy drinks and lemonades. Beverages consisting only of fruit or vegetable juices, sweetened milk, and artificially sweetened beverages with no calories were excluded from the definition.
Sugary drinks contribute to adverse health effects through various mechanisms. They cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, forcing the body to work overtime to return to normal. Over time, this steady rise can impair the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to chronically high levels characteristic of type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, fructose found in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup stimulates fat production by the liver. This accumulation of fat in the liver and blood vessels can lead to fatty liver and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, sugary drinks often replace healthier drinks, leading to a potential deficiency of essential nutrients. This can contribute to malnutrition, weight gain and inflammation.
Disproportionate in emerging markets
Developing countries, including Colombia, Mexico and South Africa, are disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of sugary drinks. In Colombia, more than 48 percent of new cases of diabetes and 23 percent of new cases of cardiovascular disease are linked to SSB consumption.
According to the study, as consumption of sugary drinks has plateaued or declined in high-income countries, the beverage industry has shifted its focus to emerging markets where populations are more responsive to marketing campaigns promoting lifestyles. Westerners”. She notes that adults with high levels of education are particularly vulnerable to this trend.
Reducing the consumption of sugary drinks
Countries with lower income, education levels, and health outcomes often face significant challenges in reducing sugary beverage consumption. Factors such as lower taxes on sugary drinks, weak enforcement of regulations by governments, and limited access to clean water contribute to this problem.
The study highlights the difficulties individuals face when giving up sugary drinks due to pervasive advertising and affordable prices. She also highlights that industry opposition is an obstacle to implementing effective measures to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks.
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