Energy balance
Habitual consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) causes weight gain and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.
To prevent age-related weight gain and reduce chronic disease risk, limit or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages. Replacing SSBs with non-caloric options (water, unsweetened tea/coffee) has been shown to reduce body weight, particularly in individuals with overweight or obesity. Be aware that liquid calories from soda do not make you feel full, so you are likely to consume these calories on top of your normal food intake.
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.
Why this rating
Strong evidence from cohort studies and clinical trials supports the aetiological role, though some RCTs have limitations.
Source
The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases
Vasanti Malik et al. · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · 2022
DOI 10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6
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