Sweet Death

Scientists from Tufts University in Boston have figured out that sodas, fruit drinks and other sugary beverages lead to an estimated 1,84,000 adult deaths annually. The research on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages stated that these deaths mostly occur due to diabetes, cancer and heart attacks.

Senior author of the study Dariush Mozaffarian said, “Many countries in the world have a significant number of deaths occurring from a single dietary factor- sugar sweetened beverages. It should be a global priority to substantially reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet”. The study estimated deaths and disabilities from diabetes, heart disease and cancer in 2010.

The study conducted between 1980 and 2010 across 51 countries included 611,971 individuals along with data on national availability of sugar in 187 countries and other information. Researchers then used data published on the direct impact of sugar-sweetened beverages to determine the rate of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It led to the conclusion that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in 2010 may have been responsible for 133,000 deaths from diabetes, 45,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,450 deaths from cancer.

Mozaffarian said less consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is saving tens of thousands of people every year. Deaths due to sugary drinks were highest in Mexico followed by the United States. In the study, sugar-sweetened beverages were defined as any sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit drinks, sports energy drinks, sweetened iced teas, or homemade sugary drinks such as frescas, that contained at least 50 kcal per 8 ounces serving. 100% fruit juice was excluded from the study.