A recent study published in Nature Medicine has found that consuming sugary drinks may be connected to millions of new cases of diabetes and heart disease every year. Led by Tufts University in Boston, the research team discovered that about 2.2 million new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million new cases of cardiovascular disease were potentially attributed to sugar-sweetened sodas and juices annually.
The study’s findings suggest that the highest rates were found in Colombia, where nearly half of new diabetes cases could be linked to sugary drinks, and Mexico, where a third of cases could be attributed to them. In other regions, such as Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, more than 20% of new diabetes cases might be linked to sugary beverages.
According to the researchers, sugary drinks are rapidly digested, causing a spike in blood sugar levels with little nutritional value. Consuming these types of beverages on a long-term basis may also lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other health problems.
The study’s authors emphasize that certain groups, including men and younger adults, may be more likely to experience negative health effects from sugary drinks. They also stress the need for urgent, evidence-based interventions to curb consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages globally.
Some experts have praised the findings as expected, but others have noted limitations in the study’s methodology. The American Beverage Association has expressed concerns about the data and methodology applied to the results, highlighting the importance of considering other environmental and lifestyle factors when attributing health outcomes to specific foods or beverages.
The researchers are calling for a “multi-pronged approach” that includes public health campaigns, regulations on advertising, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. They argue that reducing consumption of these drinks can go a long way toward improving overall blood sugar regulation and future health.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/diabetes-heart-disease-cases-skyrocket-scientists-pinpoint-reason