Sugary drink consumption linked to diabetes

Sugary beverages are rapidly digested, causing a spike in blood sugar levels with little nutritional value. Regular consumption over time leads to weight gain, insulin resistance, and a host of metabolic issues tied to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two of the world’s leading causes of death.

The research revealed that in Sub-Saharan Africa, sugar-sweetened beverages contributed to more than 21 per cent of all new diabetes cases. In Latin America and the Caribbean, they contributed to nearly 24 per cent of new diabetes cases and more than 11 per cent of new cases of cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, more than 48 per cent of all new diabetes cases in Colombia were attributable to consumption of sugary drinks. Nearly one third of all new diabetes cases in Mexico were linked to sugary drink consumption. While in South Africa, 27.6 per cent of new diabetes cases and 14.6 per cent of cardiovascular disease cases were attributable to sugary drink consumption.