Energy balance
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are associated with increased risk of obesity and cardiometabolic disease, but this association is largely mediated by excess caloric intake and confounding lifestyle factors, rather than a unique property of the beverage itself.
Reducing sugar-sweetened beverages is a prudent strategy for weight management and metabolic health, primarily because it reduces excess calories and is associated with healthier lifestyle choices. However, do not expect SSB reduction to solve all health issues if your overall diet and lifestyle remain poor. Moderate SSB intake has negligible risk.
SSBs are a marker of an unhealthy lifestyle and their drinkers consume more calories, exercise less, smoke more and have a poor dietary pattern... The potential for overconsumption of sugars in the form of sugary foods and drinks makes targeting sugars, as a source of excess calories, a prudent strategy.
Why this rating
Based on prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses, which are strong observational evidence but subject to residual confounding.
Source
Controversies about sugars: results from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on obesity, cardiometabolic disease and diabetes
Tauseef Khan et al. · Zeitschrift für Ernährungswissenschaft · 2016
DOI 10.1007/s00394-016-1345-3
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →