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The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases
Open accessAbstract
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of added sugars in the diet. A robust body of evidence has linked habitual intake of SSBs with weight gain and a higher risk (compared with infrequent SSB consumption) of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers, which makes these beverages a clear target for policy and regulatory actions. This Review provides an update on the evidence linking SSBs to obesity, cardiometabolic outcomes and related cancers, as well as methods to grade the strength of nutritional research. We discuss potential biological mechanisms by which constituent sugars can contribute to these outcomes. We also consider global trends in intake, alternative beverages (including artificially-sweetened beverages) and policy strategies targeting SSBs that have been implemented in different settings. Strong evidence from cohort studies on clinical outcomes and clinical trials assessing cardiometabolic risk factors supports an aetiological role of SSBs in relation to weight gain and cardiometabolic diseases. Many populations show high levels of SSB consumption and in low-income and middle-income countries, increased consumption patterns are associated with urbanization and economic growth. As such, more intensified policy efforts are needed to reduce intake of SSBs and the global burden of obesity and chronic diseases. Evidence from cohort studies and clinical trials supports an aetiological role of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake in the development of obesity and related chronic diseases. This Review provides an up-to-date view, considering the evidence, potential mechanisms and policy actions to reduce the global intake of SSBs.
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“Hyperuricaemia has been shown to precede the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.27”
From Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review (2023) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“sugar consumption has been suggested to stimulate the secretion of endogenous opioids in the nucleus accumbens and to stimulate the dopaminergic reward system.27”
From Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review (2023) · cites this paper as [27]
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“Until now, the evidence for the association between dietary sugar consumption and the risk of cancer has remained limited and controversial.27”
From Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review (2023) · cites this paper as [27]
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“Evidence of sugar dependence in an animal model indicated that similarly to addiction to morphine and cocaine, rats with intermittent sugar intake had decreased concentrations of dopamine D2 receptor mRNA in the nucleus accumbens and showed the characteristics of addictive-like behaviours called sugar addiction.27 126”
From Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review (2023) · cites this paper as [27]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Malik, V. S., & Hu, F. B.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Malik, Vasanti S.
- Hu, Frank B.
- Venue
- Nature Reviews Endocrinology
- Published
- 2022-01-21
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 205-218
- ISSN
- 1759-5029 (ISSN-L)
- 1759-5037
- PMC
- PMC8778490
- OpenAlex
- W4207002397
- Cited by
- 854
- References
- 155
- Citations by year
- 2026: 162 · 2025: 236 · 2024: 227 · 2023: 160 · 2022: 69
- FWCI
- 24.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Nature Reviews Endocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Keywords
- sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer risk, cardiometabolic risk, added sugars, weight gain, urbanization, low- and middle-income countries, beverage consumption trends, artificially sweetened beverages, level of evidence, biological mechanisms
- MeSH terms
- Sugars, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Humans, Obesity, Weight Gain, Epidemics
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