A recent article published in the journal Nature Medicine revealed that over 2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and more than 1 million new cases of cardiovascular disease worldwide in 2020 were directly linked to sugar-sweetened beverages. Lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Julie Chen of Kaiser Permanente warns that the consumption of sugary drinks, including sodas, sweet teas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and even fruit juices, can lead to serious health consequences, especially when started at a young age. Dr. Chen advises parents to discourage their children from consuming these drinks and instead promote the consumption of water, lemon or cucumber-infused water, and seltzer water as healthier alternatives.
She highlights that many sugary drinks are marketed to children using appealing packaging and characters, making them more enticing. Dr. Chen emphasizes the importance of educating both children and adults about the risks associated with sugary beverages and encouraging healthier drink choices. By swapping out sugary drinks for water and other low-sugar alternatives, individuals can reduce their risk of developing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Making small changes to one’s daily beverage choices can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being, making it worthwhile to rethink those sugar-laden drinks.
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