Study of 540,000 People Links 1 Daily Sugary Drink to Higher BMI, 0.42-Kg Adult Weight Gain
Updated
Updated · The Times of India · Jun 22
Study of 540,000 People Links 1 Daily Sugary Drink to Higher BMI, 0.42-Kg Adult Weight Gain
3 articles · Updated · The Times of India · Jun 22
Summary
Researchers reviewed 85 studies covering more than 540,000 children and adults and found each extra daily sugar-sweetened drink was tied to higher BMI in children and 0.42 kilograms of weight gain in adults.
Randomized trials in the analysis strengthened the link: children who cut sugary drinks gained less BMI, while adults who removed them lost weight and those who added them gained more.
The study also found a dose-response pattern, with greater consumption linked to greater weight gain, suggesting the effect rises with each additional serving.
Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2023, the findings support CDC guidance that sugar-sweetened beverages are a major contributor to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
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Sugary Drinks and Obesity: Unpacking the Evidence, Health Risks, and Strategies for Change
Overview
Recent scientific evidence has firmly established that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major dietary concern, directly linking their consumption to weight gain and a range of health problems. These drinks, which include sodas and energy drinks, are high in added sugars like sucrose or high fructose corn syrup, providing many calories but little nutritional value. A typical serving can contain about 35 grams of sugar and 140 calories. The consistent observation is that SSBs contribute to obesity, and replacing them with non-caloric alternatives can significantly help with weight management, highlighting the importance of reducing SSB intake for better health.