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Does Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Influence Cardiovascular Risk Independent of Weight Gain and Obesity? an Update of the Epidemiologic Evidence

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Abstract

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contain high amounts of nutrient-deficient calories in the form of rapidly digestible carbohydrates. Substantial evidence links SSB consumption to an increased risk for obesity and weight gain, which is hypothesized to result from incomplete compensatory reductions in energy intake at subsequent meals after beverage consumption. Higher levels of SSB consumption have also been associated with unfavorable levels of several other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as impaired glucose metabolism, hypertension, dyslipidemia, as well as a higher incidence of coronary heart disease. Although the excess obesity that results from SSB consumption likely contributes elevated risk for the development of a variety of adverse health conditions, epidemiologic evidence is emerging indicating that the relationship between SSB consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular disease events and several traditional cardiovascular risk factors is not fully explained by conventional mediators, including obesity. This review summarizes the current epidemiologic evidence from population-based and epidemiologic cohort studies that both supports and refutes the adverse impact of SSB consumption on cardiovascular health that may occur independently of obesity and weight gain.

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Conflict of Interest

Christina M. Shay declares that hat she has no conflict of interest.

Michelle E. Dennison-Farris declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 801 NE 13th St CHB 352, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA

    Christina M. Shay & Michelle E. Dennison-Farris

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  1. Christina M. Shay
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  2. Michelle E. Dennison-Farris
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Correspondence to Christina M. Shay.

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Shay, C.M., Dennison-Farris, M.E. Does Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Influence Cardiovascular Risk Independent of Weight Gain and Obesity? an Update of the Epidemiologic Evidence. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 7, 166–172 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-013-0311-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-013-0311-3

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