Doctors' warnings about the dangers of consuming large amounts of sugar sound frequent, ominous and, unfortunately, not unfounded.. This time, a new study by scientists focused on sweet drinks, or rather, sugar in their composition..

What experts say about sweets that are associated with joy and pleasure? Real or fictitious threats that frighten us? Sweetness with a Lethal Taste Recently, a publication appeared in the journal Nature Medicine in which scientists analyze data obtained from a study of popular sugary drinks. Sugary drinks may leave a sour aftertaste and affect mortality, new study finds. "

The study analyzed global data on the consumption of sweetened drinks around the world - observational and randomized, as well as the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. By creating a comparative risk model, the researchers estimated that more than 330,000 deaths annually from diabetes and cardiovascular disease are due to sugary drinks.. “Sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute to excess weight gain and cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, both directly and through weight gain,” the report states..

The problem is widespread and affects more than one country. 184 countries of the world have become hostages of the situation. The situation is most acute in Latin America and the Caribbean, which has the highest incidence of beverage-related cardiovascular disease, and in sub-Saharan Africa, which has also had the highest incidence of type 2 diabetes due to sugary drinks.

In addition to the health effects of sugary drinks, researchers looked at who was most affected by their consumption.. “The focus has been on young adult men with college degrees,” says Toby Smithson, a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and senior manager of nutrition and wellness at the American Diabetes Association..

“It is time to turn our attention to this tragic, preventable suffering and take urgent action,” said Dr Mozaffarian.

Why does liquid sugar act so quickly The answer to this question is simple and tragic at the same time.. According to the author of the study, sugar from liquids enters the blood faster. “Due to their liquid form, sugary drinks are quickly consumed and digested – leading to decreased satiety, higher calorie intake and weight gain. High doses of glucose that are rapidly absorbed activate insulin and other regulatory pathways, which can lead to the formation of visceral fat, liver and skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and weight gain.

High doses of rapidly absorbed fructose directly activate fat synthesis in the liver, leading to ectopic fat deposition and metabolic dysfunction in the liver and muscles. Excessive obesity and metabolic dysfunction activate inflammatory cytokines and increase the risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. All of these risk factors accelerate atherosclerosis and plaque instability, contributing to ischemic cardiovascular events. Therefore, both the direct and obesity-induced effects of SSBs are relevant for assessing their impact on health,"

It is impossible to say in absolute terms that sugary drinks cause diabetes and cardiovascular disease - there is still a lot of unaccounted for data. But the collected and analyzed information allows us to assess their negative impact on health. "

Sugary drinks contain " They are a source of fast-acting carbohydrates that enter the bloodstream and quickly increase blood sugar levels.. " Liquid sugar is absorbed faster in the digestive system because it does not require the same breakdown processes as solid food.. Solid sugar is often found in foods that contain other nutrients such as fiber, protein and fat,” said Suzanne Janzi, a doctoral student in nutritional epidemiology at Lund University in Sweden.. According to her, these nutrients slow down digestion, meaning the release of sugar into the blood occurs gradually.

Fat, fiber and protein in solid foods leave you feeling fuller longer. Liquid sugar often does not satiate and does not give a full feeling of fullness. This can lead to dysregulated appetite and consuming too many calories..

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Alternative sweeteners - solution or danger? Dr. Mozaffarian believes that sugar can be replaced with other sweeteners - perhaps they may be better, but this is not the answer.

" Therefore, they should be considered as a short-term, less harmful alternative, but not a long-term solution,"

Artificial sweeteners may be a good substitute in moderation for people with diabetes who may be accustomed to sugary drinks. But, instead of relying on artificial sweeteners, Dr. Mozaffarian recommends switching entirely to unsweetened drinks, such as mineral water, unsweetened tea or coffee, and plain water..

Hydration is important for controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, core temperature and digestion. The best hydrating drink is water.