Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has increased worldwide in the last four decades. In the USA, there has been a twofold increase, and in developing countries such as India and China, Coca Cola reported a 14% and 18% sales increase respectively in 2007 alone. The list of sugar-sweetened drinks comprises sodas or fi zzy drinks, fruit drinks and energy and vitamin water drinks and excludes 100% fruit juices not blended with sweetening agents such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup or fruit juice concentrates. Health experts are calling for a reduction in consumption of SSBs because of the increasing evidence of association between SSB consumption and obesity in children and adults. Furthermore, association between habitual SSB consumption and metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes is gaining momentum