#Sugarydrinks

A new wave of research is upending long-held assumptions about sugar, revealing that consuming sugar in beverages—such as sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks—may pose a significantly higher risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic illness compared to eating the same amount of sugar in solid foods. The findings, drawn from a major meta-analysis and recently published studies, highlight the unique dangers of “liquid sugar” and call for renewed scrutiny of sugary drink consumption, especially in countries like Thailand where sweetened drinks are a staple of daily life.

New research challenges the old view that all sugars are alike. It finds that consuming sugar in beverages—sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks—may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes more than eating the same amount of sugar in solid foods. This landmark meta-analysis and related studies highlight the dangers of “liquid sugar” and call for renewed focus on sugary drinks in Thailand, where such beverages are deeply woven into daily life.

A major international study shows that consuming sugar-laden drinks—such as sodas and fruit juices—may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes more sharply than sugar from foods. The research, led by a team at Brigham Young University with German collaborators, analyzed health data from more than half a million people across several continents. The findings carry meaningful implications for Thailand, where sweet drinks are deeply embedded in daily life and diabetes rates are climbing.

A groundbreaking international study has revealed that drinking sugar-laden beverages—such as sodas and fruit juices—may sharply increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, more so than consuming sugar through foods. Conducted by a team led by researchers at Brigham Young University in the United States, with collaboration from German partners, the research analyzed health data from over half a million people across multiple continents. The findings carry major implications for public health in Thailand, where sweet drinks are woven into daily routines and the rate of diabetes continues to climb.

Chile’s aggressive push to curb childhood junk-food consumption is shaping a global conversation on healthier diets for young people. By tightening marketing rules and front-of-pack labeling, Chile reports a notable drop in unhealthy snack purchases among children. Public health officials worldwide see this as a practical blueprint for addressing youth obesity.

The heart of Chile’s approach is simple and visible: large, black stop-sign warnings on foods high in sugar, salt, and fat; a ban on advertising unhealthy products to children; and restrictions on sales in schools. Since these measures began in 2016, families, teachers, and retailers have faced a clearer, more public health-oriented food environment. The World Health Organization has highlighted the urgency of reducing childhood overweight and obesity, noting a global rise that demands stronger action. In Thailand, about one in ten schoolchildren is overweight or obese, a trend mirrored by expanding fast-food availability and aggressive snack marketing.

Chile’s bold efforts to curb childhood junk food consumption have sparked international attention, prompting the question: if Chile can do it, why can’t the UK—or, indeed, Thailand? The South American nation’s sweeping package of regulations, focusing on marketing and labeling, has spurred a dramatic decline in unhealthy snack intake by children. This development has brought fresh hope to public health officials worldwide grappling with rising obesity rates among the youth.

A new study points to a surprising contributor to rising oral cancer cases: sugary beverages. Researchers analyzed dietary records from about 162,600 women over three decades and found that those who drink one or more sugary drinks daily had nearly five times the risk of developing oral cancer compared with those who rarely drink them. Among non-smokers or light drinkers, the risk remained elevated at about five-and-a-half times for daily sugary drink consumers.

A recent study from a leading Indian research institution shows that regular sugary beverage consumption can alter how the body handles sugar. Published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, the findings describe changes in the gut’s sugar absorption that may affect metabolic health beyond the calories from sweet drinks.

In an experimental setting with laboratory mice, subjects received either plain water or water containing 10% table sugar for three months. The study observed metabolic changes consistent with early insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in sugar-fed mice, suggesting potential implications for diabetes risk and related disorders.