A new global study links sugar-sweetened beverages to millions of diabetes and heart disease cases, with the highest impacts observed in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America due to surging consumption.
Andrew Jacobs reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The study estimates 340,000 annual deaths from Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease linked to sugary drinks worldwide, with 2.2 million new diabetes cases and 1.2 million new cardiovascular disease cases in 2020 alone.
- Soda consumption has grown in developing regions as companies seek markets outside North America and Europe, with branding associating sugary drinks with social status.
- Policy measures such as soda taxes and marketing restrictions in some regions are starting to curb consumption, particularly in Latin America.
Key quote:
"Consuming these drinks is often a mark of status."
— Laura Lara-Castor, nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Washington and a lead author of the study
Why this matters:
As soft drink companies expand into developing nations, diet-related diseases strain healthcare systems unequipped to handle the rising burden. Public health measures, like taxes and labeling, are essential to combat preventable deaths tied to sugar consumption.
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