Sugary drinks account for over 2.2 million new cases of diabetes and 1.1 million cases of heart disease globally each year.
The study published in Nature Medicine indicates that these beverages are contributing significantly to health issues in low- and middle-income countries.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, sugary drinks caused 24% of new diabetes cases in 2020, impacting countries like Colombia and Mexico.
The research highlights the role of influencer culture in promoting sugary drinks among youth, exacerbating public health concerns.
Experts recommend public health campaigns, advertising regulations, and taxes on sugary beverages to combat the rising health crisis.