Official publications or press releases from WHO

Study Links Sugar-Sweetened Beverages to 2.2M Diabetes and 1.2M Heart Disease Cases Annually, 1 in 10 New Cases

Jan 6, 2025, 04:25 PM

A recent global analysis published in Nature Medicine highlights the health risks associated with sugar-sweetened beverages, linking them to significant health issues. The study indicates that sugary drinks contribute to approximately 2.2 million new cases of diabetes and 1.2 million cases of heart disease annually worldwide. Notably, one in ten new cases of type 2 diabetes globally is attributed to the consumption of sweetened drinks. The findings emphasize the urgent need for global interventions to reduce the intake of these beverages, particularly in developing regions where the impacts are more severe. In Switzerland, for instance, it is reported that one in ten cases of type 2 diabetes is connected to sugary drink consumption. This research underscores the ongoing public health challenge posed by high sugar intake and its long-term consequences on metabolic health.