According to the sugar industry, SSBs embody a variety of health risks which are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of unhealthy foods. SSBs could be the biggest culprits of the CVD and type 2 diabetes which were revealed in statistics. In 2020, the SSBs were the ones that caused 9.8% of the world’s new cases of type 2 diabetes or in other words, 2.2 million in numbers and 3.1% of new CVD or 1.2 million.
Key Findings: SSBs and Their Global Health Burden
- Disproportionately Affected Groups: Men, younger adults, urban populations, and individuals with higher education levels were most impacted.
- Regional Trends: Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest proportional disease burdens. Sub-Saharan Africa experienced the largest increases in SSB-linked type 2 diabetes (8.8%) and CVD cases (4.4%) between 1990 and 2020.
- High SSB Consumption Rates: The countries like Colombia, South Africa, and Mexico are leading the rest in SSB intake and disease burden.
Why Are SSBs Harmful?
Sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, fruit punches, and energy drinks which are predominantly human foods that are digested quickly due to their liquid form are connected with the following:
- Lower Satiety: People who consume SSBs mostly feel less full and consume high amounts of calories.
- Weight Gain: The extra calories coming from SSBs are the main cause of obesity and conditions linked to it.
- Metabolic Dysfunction: The long-term effect of too much sugar is insulin impairment, which results in insulin resistance, visceral fat, and ectopic fat deposition.
Regional and Global Consumption Patterns
According to findings from the Global Dietary Database, which involved 2.9 million individuals from 118 countries, in 2020 the average soft drink (SSB) consumption was:
- Global Average: 2.6 eight-ounce servings per week.
- Lowest: South Asia, which was 0.7 ounces per week only. China, India, and Bangladesh were the major contributors to the lowest averages (0.2 servings).
- Highest: Latin America and the Caribbean, the usage was about 7.3 servings. Colombia’s share was the highest with 17.4 servings every week.
SSB-Linked Deaths and Disease Rates
In 2020, SSB consumption caused:
- 80,278 diabetes-related deaths (5.1% of all diabetes deaths).
- 257,962 CVD-related deaths (2.1% of all CVD deaths).
Countries with the highest SSB-attributable disease rates include Mexico, Colombia, and South Africa.
Solutions: Reducing SSB Consumption
The study emphasizes the urgent need for:
- Public Health Policies: Targeted interventions, such as SSB taxes and education campaigns.
- Global Action: Addressing social inequities to reduce SSB intake and improve health outcomes.
Dr. Laura Lara-Castor, one of the study’s lead authors, urges policymakers to take stronger action:
“Despite progress, more work is needed to curb the global health impact of SSBs.”
What Are Sugar-Sweetened Beverages?
SSBs include any drink with added sugars providing at least 50 calories per 8-ounce serving. Examples:
- Soft drinks
- Energy drinks
- Fruit punches
- Lemonade
- Aguas frescas
Exclusions: 100% fruit juices, artificially sweetened beverages, and sweetened milk.
Final Thoughts
This comprehensive study underscores the significant health risks posed by SSBs and highlights the importance of global strategies to mitigate their impact. Reducing SSB intake is vital for combating type 2 diabetes, CVD, and other related health issues worldwide.
