A new study conducted by researchers at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, recently published in Nature Medicine, paints a disturbing picture of the global health risks posed by sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The research highlights that each year, approximately 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million new cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are directly attributed to the consumption of these sugary drinks, with especially significant consequences in developing nations.
The study’s findings suggest that Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, as well as certain countries in these regions, are particularly affected by the harmful impacts of sugary beverage consumption. Specifically, the research revealed that SSBs account for more than 21% of all new diabetes cases in Sub-Saharan Africa, while in Latin America and the Caribbean, these drinks are responsible for nearly 24% of new diabetes diagnoses and over 11% of new cases of cardiovascular disease.
Among the countries hardest hit by the rise in health issues linked to sugary drink consumption are Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa. In Colombia, for example, the consumption of sugary beverages contributes to more than 48% of new diabetes cases. In Mexico, nearly one-third of new diabetes cases are related to sugary drink consumption. South Africa also shows alarming statistics, with SSBs being responsible for 27.6% of new diabetes cases and 14.6% of new cardiovascular disease cases.
The consumption of sugary drinks, which includes sodas, fruit drinks, and sweetened teas, is a major contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These drinks are rapidly digested by the body, leading to spikes in blood sugar levels. Unlike whole foods or natural beverages like water or juice, sugar-sweetened beverages offer little in terms of nutritional value. Over time, regular consumption of sugary drinks can lead to a cascade of health problems, such as weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and poor cardiovascular health. As type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are two of the most prevalent and deadly conditions worldwide, the stakes are high, especially in developing countries where access to healthcare might be limited.
According to Dariush Mozaffarian, a senior author of the study and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University’s Friedman School, the extensive marketing and accessibility of sugary drinks in low- and middle-income countries are major contributing factors. While sugary beverages may be desirable due to their affordability and accessibility as countries develop economically, these same populations are often poorly equipped to address the long-term health effects resulting from their consumption.
Dr. Mozaffarian notes that men, particularly younger men, are disproportionately affected by the health consequences of sugary drinks, as are younger adults in comparison to their older counterparts. The global nature of this health issue highlights the growing health crisis as nations experience economic growth and rising incomes, making sugary drinks more accessible to more people.
Despite the mounting evidence linking SSB consumption to chronic diseases, significant public health interventions are urgently needed to curb this epidemic. Laura Lara-Castor, the study’s first author, and a Ph.D. graduate of the Friedman School who now works at the University of Washington, stresses the necessity for “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.”
In light of these alarming findings, the study authors recommend a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to address the growing consumption of sugary drinks. A key component of their proposed intervention strategy includes robust public health campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of sugary beverages, as well as stricter regulations on sugary drink advertising, particularly to young people. These approaches could be augmented with the implementation of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, an initiative already in place in some countries. For example, Mexico, which has one of the highest per capita rates of sugary drink consumption globally, introduced a tax on sugary beverages in 2014. The early results from this policy suggest it has been successful in reducing consumption, particularly among lower-income populations.
Mozaffarian notes that more action is needed, especially in countries across Latin America and Africa where the health impacts of sugary drinks are most severe. “Much more needs to be done,” he emphasizes, especially in regions where the rates of sugary drink consumption are alarmingly high and the corresponding health effects are devastating.
At the heart of this ongoing challenge is the pressing need for societal change to reduce consumption of sugary beverages. While efforts to reduce sugary drink consumption in countries like Mexico represent important progress, such initiatives need to be scaled up globally, including in other developing regions facing increasing health burdens. Mozaffarian calls for a broader recognition of the issue, acknowledging that sugary drinks present a risk not only to the current generation but to future generations who may face a health crisis even more severe than what is already unfolding.
Beyond just reducing consumption, addressing the accessibility and marketing of these beverages is also crucial. It requires widespread public health strategies that take into consideration regional health disparities, the influence of marketing, and cultural factors that contribute to drinking sugary beverages. Education and access to healthier alternatives will play a central role in limiting the reach of these products, but it will take a concerted effort across various levels of government, the healthcare system, and the food industry to achieve meaningful reductions in sugary drink consumption.
The need for global action is clear. As a species, we must address sugar-sweetened beverage consumption comprehensively to prevent more widespread health damage and alleviate the growing burden of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in vulnerable populations. The evidence is stark, and the actions we take in the coming years will play a significant role in shaping global public health outcomes for generations to come.
Reference: Laura Lara-Castor, Burdens of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease attributable to sugar-sweetened beverages in 184 countries, Nature Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03345-4
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