Consumption of sugary drinks may lead to diabetes, heart disease, and cancers and an estimated 184,000 adult deaths each year worldwide, shows a study by a team of researchers.
In the first detailed global report on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages in the US, researchers estimated deaths and disabilities caused by diabetes, heart disease, and cancers in 2010.
“Among the 20 countries with the highest estimated sugar-sweetened beverage-related deaths, at least eight were in Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting the high intakes in that region of the world,” said lead author Gitanjali Singh, assistant professor at Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in Tufts University.
Of the 20 most populous countries, Mexico had the highest death rate attributed to sugar-sweetened beverages with an estimated 405 deaths per million adults (24,000 total deaths) and the US ranked second with an estimated 125 deaths per million adults (25,000 total deaths).
In the study, sugar sweetened beverages were defined as any sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit drinks, sports/energy drinks, sweetened iced teas, or homemade sugary drinks such as frescas, that contained at least 50 kcal per 8oz serving.
The estimates of consumption were made from 62 dietary surveys including 611,971 individuals conducted between 1980 and 2010 across 51 countries.
The study was outlined in the journal Circulation.
