By Stephen Beech
Millions of new cases of diabetes and heart disease every year are caused by sugary drinks, according to new research.
Around 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million new cases of cardiovascular disease occur each year worldwide due to consuming sugar-sweetened pop and juices, say scientists.
The toll is particularly high in developing countries, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine.
American researchers found that in Sub-Saharan Africa sugar-sweetened drinks contributed to more than 21% of all new diabetes cases.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, they contributed to nearly 24% of new diabetes cases and more than 11% of new cases of cardiovascular disease.
Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa have been particularly hard hit, according to a study by researchers at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
Nearly half (48%) of all new diabetes cases in Colombia were attributable to the consumption of sugary drinks while nearly a third of all new diabetes cases in Mexico were linked to sugary drinks.
In South Africa, 27.6% of new diabetes cases and 14.6% of cardiovascular disease cases were attributable to sugary drinks.
The research team explained that sugary drinks are rapidly digested, causing a “spike” in blood sugar levels with little nutritional value.
Regular consumption over time leads to weight gain, insulin resistance, and a host of metabolic issues tied to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two of the world’s leading causes of death.
Study senior author Professor Dariush Mozaffarian said: “Sugar-sweetened beverages are heavily marketed and sold in low- and middle-income nations.
“Not only are these communities consuming harmful products, but they are also often less well equipped to deal with the long-term health consequences.”
The researchers explained that, as countries develop and incomes rise, sugary drinks become more accessible and desirable.
They say men are more likely than women to suffer the consequences of sugary drink consumption, as are younger adults compared to their older counterparts.
Study first author Dr. Laura Lara-Castor, now at the University of Washington, said: “We need urgent, evidence-based interventions to curb consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages globally, before even more lives are shortened by their effects on diabetes and heart disease.”
The research team say a “multi-pronged” approach is needed to tackle the issue including public health campaigns, regulation of advertising, and taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks.
Some countries have already taken steps with Mexico, which has one of the highest per capita rates of sugary drink consumption in the world, introducing a tax on sugary drinks in 2014.
Early evidence suggests that the tax has been effective in reducing consumption, particularly among people from lower-income families.
Mozaffarian added: “Much more needs to be done, especially in countries in Latin America and Africa where consumption is high and the health consequence severe.
“As a species, we need to address sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.”
