Sugary Drinks Fuel a Global Health Crisis
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 1, 2025
I don’t need to tell you that sugary drinks are the opposite of a health food.
However, new research reveals just how harmful they really are.
In fact, millions are being affected in disturbing ways that might shock you…
A disturbing new study published in Nature Medicine has uncovered the devastating toll of sugar-sweetened beverages. The research found they were linked to 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million cases of heart disease in 2020 alone.
Researchers analyzed sugary drink consumption across 184 countries, comparing data from 1990 to 2020. What they found paints a troubling picture of who’s most affected…
- Men consume more than women.
- Younger adults drink more than older adults.
- City dwellers outpace rural residents.
- Those with higher education levels surprisingly drink more.
But why are these drinks so dangerous? Well, it comes down to how our bodies process liquid sugar.
When you drink a sugary beverage…
- The calories are absorbed
- You feel less satisfied than if you’d eaten solid food.
- Your body struggles to regulate blood sugar.
- Fat begins accumulating in your
- Your cardiovascular system takes a hit.
However, the impact isn’t felt equally across the globe. And there’s a reason for that—beverage manufacturers (Big Soda) actively target specific regions with aggressive marketing campaigns and fight against health-protective legislation.
Think about it for a moment… these aren’t just numbers. Each case represents a real person whose life has been forever changed by something seemingly innocent, such as a daily soft drink habit.
The good news is that the solution isn’t complicated, and you CAN avoid the same fate as those millions of other folks…
- Switch to water or unsweetened beverages.
- Read labels carefully—added sugars are hidden in many drinks.
- Keep in mind that “natural” juices can be just as sugary, so limit them.
- Know that diet sodas aren’t the answer (click here for more on why)
Remember, every time you reach for a drink, you’re making a choice about your health. Make it count.
P.S. The TRUTH about “natural” sugars revealed!
Source:
Cudhea, F., Miller, V., Shi, P., Zhang, J., Sharib, J. R., Cash, S. B., Barquera, S., Micha, R., & Mozaffarian, D. (2025). Burdens of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease attributable to sugar-sweetened beverages in 184 countries. Nature Medicine, 1-13.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...