Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Linked to Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes

A review of previous epidemiological studies finds a strong association between the regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juice and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

According to Deshpande et al, regular intake of sugar-sweetened beverages can alter glucose handling and insulin sensitivity, thereby contributing to the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes; there is also evidence that frequent sugar-sweetened beverage intake -- and particularly fructose -- is linked to hypertension and well-known cardiovascular disease risk factors. Image credit: WikiImages.

According to Deshpande et al, regular intake of sugar-sweetened beverages can alter glucose handling and insulin sensitivity, thereby contributing to the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes; there is also evidence that frequent sugar-sweetened beverage intake — and particularly fructose — is linked to hypertension and well-known cardiovascular disease risk factors. Image credit: WikiImages.

The World Health Organization estimates that noncommunicable diseases result in 38 million fatalities annually, with cardiometabolic diseases accounting for 19 million fatalities.

The umbrella term ‘cardiometabolic diseases’ describes both cardiovascular diseases and conditions such as the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes are all risk factors for the onset of cardiometabolic diseases.

Beside such risk factors, sugar-sweetened beverage intake can also drive the onset of cardiovascular diseases by promoting hypertension, inflammation, and dyslipidemia.

“Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is steadily rising among all age groups worldwide,” said review’s senior author Dr. M. Faadiel Essop, from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

“Our analysis revealed that most epidemiological studies strongly show that frequent intake of these beverages contributes to the onset of the metabolic syndrome, diabetes and hypertension.”

Dr. Essop and his colleagues at Stellenbosch University reviewed 36 studies on the cardiometabolic effects of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption from the past decade.

Since some recent studies reached conflicting findings regarding the relationship between beverage consumption and health conditions such as diabetes and heart diseases, the authors critically assessed the research landscape for overall trends.

Although there were some studies with negative or neutral findings, most of the studies supported a link between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.

Most of the analyzed studies looked at individuals who drank more than five sugar-sweetened beverages a week.

Studies on diet and diabetes revealed consuming as few as two servings of sugar-sweetened beverages a week was linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Several of the analyzed studies found drinking at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day was associated with elevated blood pressure.

“The findings demonstrate there is a clear need for public education about the harmful effects of excess consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages,” Dr. Essop said.

“But our understanding of this topic would benefit from additional research to further clarify how sugar-sweetened beverages affect our health.”

“We do see some limitations in the current research on this topic, including a need for longer-term studies and standardized research methods.”

The review article was published in the November 1, 2017 issue of the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

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Gaurang Deshpande et al. 2017. Frequent Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and the Onset of Cardiometabolic Diseases: Cause for Concern? Journal of the Endocrine Society 1 (11): 1372-1385; doi: 10.1210/js.2017-00262

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