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Cited by 854Diet, Metabolism, and DiseaseObesity, Physical Activity, DietNutritional Studies and Diet

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 158 of the 158 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases

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Malik, Vasanti S., Hu, Frank B.·2022·Nature Reviews Endocrinology
DOI 10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6PMC PMC8778490
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Abstract

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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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.
ORCID
Venue
Nature Reviews Endocrinology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2022-01-21
Volume
18
Issue
4
Pages
205-218
ISSN
  • 1759-5029 (ISSN-L)
  • 1759-5037
DOI
10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6
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
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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