Sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to 2.2 million new type 2 diabetes cases and 1.2 million cardiovascular disease cases globally, according to a comprehensive analysis of 184 countries published in Nature Medicine.

Key findings:

• Average global consumption: 2.6 eight-ounce servings weekly
• Higher consumption among males and younger adults
• 338,240 deaths attributed to SSBs in 2020 (80,278 from diabetes, 257,962 from cardiovascular disease)
• Most affected regions: Latin America, Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa

Countries with highest increases in SSB-related diseases per million adults:

• Type 2 diabetes: Colombia, United States, Argentina, Myanmar, Thailand
• Cardiovascular disease: Nigeria, Russia, Colombia, Thailand

Impact varies by region and demographics:

• Lowest consumption: India, China, Bangladesh (0.2 servings/week)
• Highest consumption: Colombia (17.4 servings/week)
• Education correlation varies by region
• Developing countries show sharp rises in health impacts

Health Risks:

• SSBs are ultra-processed foods linked to poor health outcomes
• Cause blood sugar spikes and energy crashes
• Artificial sweeteners may not be a safe alternative
• Recent studies show potential DNA damage and cancer risks from sweeteners

Healthier Alternatives:

• Fruit-infused water
• Herbal teas
• Low-sugar kombucha
• Plain water

The study highlights the urgent need for policy changes, particularly in developing countries where beverage companies have increased marketing efforts as sales decline in high-income nations. The impact on healthcare systems is particularly concerning in regions less equipped to manage long-term health conditions.

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