Contributing to Negative Health Outcomes

Globally, rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes are rising. Sweetened beverages like soda are one of the leading sources of free sugar in diets. Regular consumption of sweetened beverages is associated with increased risks for health problems throughout life, including overweight and obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Yet, the high consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks among young adults globally has nearly doubled between 1990 and 2011. This consumption pattern is tied to the strategies used by beverage companies to engineer sweetened beverage products that enhance the sensory experience, create emotional connections and encourage overconsumption, similar to strategies used for tobacco products. Here are some key facts:

• Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global health threats, with an estimated 537 million adults living with diabetes today and 246 million more adults projected to be living with diabetes by 2045. In 2020 alone, 2.2 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes worldwide were attributed to consumption of sugary beverages, with the highest proportion of attributable cases among young adults aged 20-30. Since 1990, obesity has more than doubled among adults and has quadrupled among children and adolescents.
• For every 250 ml increase in daily sweetened beverage intake, risk of obesity increases 12%, risk of Type 2 diabetes increases 19%, risk of cardiovascular-related mortality increases 13%, and risk of all-cause mortality increases 5%.
• For most children and adolescents, one 355 ml soda will put them over the daily recommended calories from free sugars. In countries without taxes on sweetened beverages, a typical 500 ml soda contains 53 grams (13 teaspoons) of free sugar. Drinking just one of these beverages puts most adults and children over the daily recommended limit.  
• A global study of adults in 75 countries found that a 1% increase in soda consumption was associated with about 5% more adults with overweight, 2% more adults with obesity and 0.3% more adults with diabetes.  
• Increased consumption of sugary beverages is also associated with dental caries and tooth erosion. Those consuming sugary beverages daily or several times per week have nearly twice the risk of developing dental caries compared to those who never or rarely consume them.