Health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages
Bradley McEwen | PhD , MHSc ( Hum Nutr ), BHSc , ND ( Adv ), DBM , DNutr , DSM , M . ATMS , Naturopath , Nutritionist , and Mentor . Adjunct Senior Lecturer , School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University .
Abstract
Chronic disease is a significant public health problem worldwide . Optimum nutrition is the foundation for optimum health . Sugar-sweetened beverages generally lack nutritional value and are the diet ’ s largest source of added sugar . The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has adverse effects on health , including type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular disease , non-alcoholic liver disease , dental caries and decay , weight gain , and obesity . This brief article aims to highlight the adverse health impacts of the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages .
Introduction
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has defined health as “ a state of complete physical , mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity ”. 1 Chronic disease is a significant public health problem worldwide . 2 Chronic diseases include cardiovascular disease , 2 , 3 diabetes , 2 , 3 polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ), 4 liver disease , 2 osteoporosis , 5 kidney disease , 2 lung disease , 2 , 3 cancer , 2 , 3 obesity , 2 and inflammatory bowel diseases , 2 such as Crohn ’ s disease 6 and ulcerative colitis . 6
Optimum nutrition is the foundation for optimum health . 7 , 8 Poor nutrition is one of the most critical risk factors for chronic disease . 2 The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases overall energy intake 9 , 10 and may displace healthier foods . 10 Sugar has been a component of human diets since ancient times 11 and sugar addiction has been suggested as a driver or trigger of excessive intake of sugar-sweetened beverages . 12 , 13 The consumption of sugar has been shown to release endogenous opioids in the nucleus accumbens , a primary site for reinforced behaviours in the brain , and to activate the dopaminergic reward system . These effects suggest that sugary foods and beverages are potentially rewarding and can trigger addictive-like behaviours , which might be responsible for their over-consumption . 13 Research has found an association between high intake of sugar and an increased risk of conditions as diverse as dental caries , 14 obesity , 14 overweight , 14 weight gain , 15 adiposity , 11 cardiovascular disease , 11 metabolic syndrome , 15 , 16 cardiorenal disease , 17 type 2 diabetes , 11 , 15 , 18 dyslipidaemia , 19 gout , 11 fatty liver disease , 11 , 20 some cancers , and hyperactivity . 11
Sugar-sweetened beverages have been found to be the largest source of added sugars in the diet . 21 Sugar-sweetened beverages are beverages that contain any form of added sugar . 12 Sugarsweetened beverages contribute to 50 % of the free sugar intake of Australians . 10
20 | vol30 | no1 | JATMS