ADULTS

Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systematic review
(08/2006)

What you drink could be affecting your waistline, according to a new analysis by Harvard researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This comprehensive review of the evidence suggests that the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, particularly carbonated soft drinks, may be a key contributor to the obesity epidemic.  

The researchers reviewed 30 studies published between 1966 and May 2005 and compared intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (including soft drinks, soda, fruitades, fruit drinks, sports drinks, sweetened iced tea and lemonade) and weight gain/obesity.  Consumption of these sweetened beverages has increased 135 percent between 1997 and 2001, paralleling the dramatic rise in obesity.  

Overall, cross-sectional, prospective cohort and experimental studies provide "strong evidence for the independent role of the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, particularly soda, in the promotion of weight gain and obesity in children and adolescents," and prospective and experimental trials in adults suggest a "positive association between soda consumption and weight gain, obesity, or both," according to the researchers.  

Although many factors can contribute to obesity, the researchers believe sugar-sweetened beverages may be linked to weight gain for several reasons:  high-sugar content, additional calories and low satiety. Beyond obesity, the researchers identified additional health concerns such as the increased risk of diabetes, fracture and dental carries from too much sugary soda, particularly for children and adolescents.  Soft drinks and other sweetened beverages appear to be displacing milk -- an important source of essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, protein and potassium.  

Obesity rates continue to escalate and the researchers suggest that decreasing sugary beverages could help combat this obesity epidemic. "Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and fruit drinks should be discouraged, and efforts to promote the consumption of other beverages such as water, lowfat milk, and small quantities of fruit juice should be made a priority," the authors conclude.  

Malik VS, Schulze MB, Hu FB. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.2006; 84:274-288.

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