Global Study Links Sugary Drinks to Millions of New Diabetes, Heart Disease Cases

The research, conducted by scientists at Tufts University’s Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, highlights a troubling trend, particularly in developing countries.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, over 21% of new diabetes cases are attributed to sugary drinks, while in Latin America and the Caribbean, they account for nearly 24% of new diabetes cases and over 11% of new cardiovascular disease cases.

Countries such as Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa are among the hardest hit. In Colombia, more than 48% of new diabetes cases are linked to sugary drink consumption, while nearly one-third of new diabetes cases in Mexico are connected to sugary beverages. In South Africa, 27.6% of new diabetes cases and 14.6% of cardiovascular disease cases are attributed to sugary drinks.

Sugary beverages are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing rapid spikes in blood sugar levels with little nutritional benefit. Over time, this leads to weight gain, insulin resistance, and various metabolic issues, which are major contributors to type 2 diabetes and heart disease—two of the leading causes of death worldwide.

"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," said Dariush Mozaffarian, senior author and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School.

As nations develop and incomes rise, sugary drinks become more accessible, which compounds the problem. The study found that men and younger adults are more likely to suffer from the effects of sugary beverage consumption.

"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," said Laura Lara-Castor, the study’s first author, now at the University of Washington.

The authors advocate for a multi-faceted approach to tackle this issue, including public health campaigns, regulation of sugary drink advertising, and taxes on sugary beverages. Mexico, which has one of the highest per capita sugary drink consumption rates, introduced a tax on sugary drinks in 2014.

Preliminary data suggests the tax has been effective in reducing consumption, especially among lower-income individuals.

"Much more needs to be done, especially in countries in Latin America and Africa where consumption is high and the health consequences severe," Mozaffarian added. "As a species, we need to address sugar-sweetened beverage consumption."