A supermarket in Bogotá, Colombia, illustrates the growing presence of sugary drinks. A major study published in the journal Nature indicates that sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to approximately 340,000 deaths globally each year due to Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The analysis highlights that approximately 2.2 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million cardiovascular disease cases were recorded in 2020, primarily affecting sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, regions that have vastly increased their soft drink consumption in recent years.
As soda sales decline in North America and Europe, beverage companies are increasingly targeting developing nations. The reported death toll represents a stark increase from earlier figures; a notable 2015 study estimated that in 2010, 184,000 deaths were linked to sugary beverages.
The adverse health effects associated with these drinks are well-known. They deliver empty calories rapidly and can supplant more nutritious food options. Regular intake of excess sugar can lead to obesity and various health issues, including liver dysfunction, hypertension, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes, which is particularly dangerous due to its associated complications of blindness, amputations, and premature mortality.
