(ORDO NEWS) — The harm from excessive sugar consumption has been known for a long time, but sometimes it is worth looking at frightening figures: only sweet carbonated drinks kill about 184,000 people every year.
Scientists from Tufts University in Boston conducted a study (2015), the results of which are published in the journal Circulation. In the framework of the scientific work, the influence of sweet carbonated drinks (including sports and energy drinks) on the occurrence and development of heart problems, obesity, cancer and diabetes was examined. Doctors used both their own data and the results of many studies conducted over the past 30 years.
As it turned out, up to 184,000 people die from diseases caused by the abuse of sugary soda. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 133,000 deaths in these statistics; for cardiovascular diseases the indicator is at the level of 45,000, for cancer – 6,450.
In total, case histories of 611,000 people from more than 50 countries of the world were examined. At the same time, out of the 20 “record-breaking” countries, eight are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, and that is where sweet soda is especially popular.
In Mexico, sugary drinks account for about 30% of deaths of people under the age of 45; in addition, in this country, more than 10% of the population has diabetes. US citizens consume an average of 22.2 teaspoons of sugar per day (355 calories) per day, and mainly because of sweetened drinks.
Doctors emphasize that manufacturers of these products add sugar only to improve taste, and instead of nutritional value, a person gets an excess of calories, which, in turn, leads to weight gain and cardiovascular problems. And in Japan, by contrast, where sugar-free tea is at its peak, mortality from illnesses caused by sugary drinks is extremely low.
Scientists say it is urgent to take measures to change the situation. Work should be carried out by the government: after all, young consumers of soda will become seriously ill elderly people after decades. Enlightenment among the population should be strengthened. And if a person is not able to refuse a sweet drink in favor of unsweetened tea – he can find other useful alternatives: for example, fruits and juices from them.
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