In Australia and internationally , a higher consumption rate of sugarsweetened beverages has been reported in males , younger adults , and the socio-economically disadvantaged . 10 Additionally , there was a higher consumption in those diagnosed with depression . 10 Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages ( greater than two servings per day ) has been associated with other unhealthy behaviours , including smoking and unhealthy or lower-quality diet . 22 Sales of sugarsweetened beverages in Australia are consistent with worldwide trends . The sales of caloric soft drinks have remained relatively stable , whereas sales of sports and energy drinks have increased . 10 An Australian cross-sectional , nationally representative population survey of 3,430 adults ( over 18 years of age ) found that almost half had consumed a beverage in the past week that was high in free sugar . Approximately 14 % had consumed an average of at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily . 10 Consumption of sugarsweetened beverages has been associated with a high dietary glycaemic load and insulin responses . 23 Foods and beverages with a high-glycaemic index have deleterious effects on health and have been linked to cardiovascular disease , 24 type 2 diabetes , 24 and inflammation . 25 lack nutritional value 9 , 21 and commonly represent a source of excess energy in the daily diet . 9 Examples of sugar-sweetened
12 , 13 , 21 , 28
beverages are soft drinks ( soda ), energy drinks , 12 , 13 , 28 12 , 13 , 21 , 28
sports drinks , fruit drinks , 12 , 13 , 21 , 28 iced teas , 28 and coffee and tea with added sugar . 12 Unsweetened fruit juice is not considered a sugar-sweetened beverage , as the sugars in these beverages are naturally occurring and are not added . 13
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been associated with numerous adverse health effects and diseases , such as :
13 , 28
• Cardiometabolic dysfunction
• Metabolic syndrome 27
• Insulin resistance 27
• Elevated HOMA-IR ( Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance ) 22
• Higher fasting insulin 22
• Elevated glycated haemoglobin ( HbA1c ) 22
9 , 12 , 13 , 23 , 29
• Type 2 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes in women 29
• Prediabetes 22
9 , 10 , 13 , 21 , 23 , 27
• Cardiovascular disease
• Coronary heart disease 12
12 , 27
• Hypertension
• Hypertriglyceridaemia 27
• Low high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol 27 12 , 13
• Non-alcoholic liver disease
• Crohn ’ s disease 6
• Uric acid production 23 and hyperuricaemia 13
• Kidney disease 12 12 , 13
• Gout
• Depressive symptoms among adolescents 9 9 , 12 , 30
• Dental caries
• Tooth decay 10
• Inflammation 27
• Shorter telomeres 31
9 , 13 , 29 , 32
• Weight gain
9 , 12 , 13 , 29 , 32
• Obesity
• Adiposity 23
• Visceral fat accumulation 23
12 , 13
• Increased risk of mortality
Per serving , sugar-sweetened beverages have been associated with more significant long-term weight gain than nearly any other dietary factor . 23 The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may contribute to weight gain due to the high added sugar content in sugar-sweetened beverages , in addition to the low satiety and potential incomplete compensation for total energy needs
21 , 27 leading to increased energy intake .
In the Australian Dietary Guidelines , the National Health and Medical Research Council ( NHMRC ) recommends limiting the consumption of sugarsweetened beverages , such as soft drinks , cordials , fruit drinks , vitamin waters , energy drinks , and sports drinks . 26 This brief article aims to highlight the adverse effects of the consumption of sugarsweetened beverages .
Per serving , sugar-sweetened beverages have been associated with more significant long-term weight gain than nearly any other dietary factor .
Sugar-sweetened beverages
Sugar-sweetened beverages are beverages that contain any form of added sugar ( such as brown sugar , 12 corn sugar , 12 corn syrup , 12 13 , 27
high-fructose corn syrup , fructose , 12 glucose 12 , sucrose 13 ), 12 and added caloric sweeteners . 13 , 28 Sugarsweetened beverages contain large
27 , 29 amounts of rapidly absorbable sugars . Sugar-sweetened beverages generally
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