A new study exploring the harmful effects sugary drinks have on health reveals a global rise in diabetes and heart disease linked to regular consumption. Researchers from Tufts University have released data showing that sugary drinks are responsible for an increase in both conditions, with significant health disparities emerging in low and middle-income countries.

The study estimates sugary drinks contribute to 2.2 million new diabetes cases and over a million heart disease diagnoses each year.

It also highlights how quickly sugary drinks spike blood sugar levels, with regular consumption linked to weight gain, insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The data includes nearly 3 million people, representing 87% of the global population. In 2020, sugary drinks were responsible for 24% of all new diabetes cases in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the largest rise in cases over the past 30 years, is also heavily impacted. The study found sugary drinks were responsible for 21% of new diabetes cases and 11% of new heart disease diagnoses in the region.

Dariush Mozaffarian, one of the study’s authors, noted that sugary drinks are often targeted to low and middle-income communities. Those are areas where people are more vulnerable to long-term health problems.

“Not only are these communities consuming harmful products, but they are also often less well-equipped to deal with the long-term health consequences,” Mozaffarian said.

Countries like Colombia and Mexico, which have high poverty rates, have seen sugary drinks contribute to a significant percentage of both diseases.

While the study can’t definitively prove cause and effect, researchers are calling for increased public awareness about the risks sugary drinks pose to health.

They point to efforts in countries like Mexico, France and Thailand, where “sugar taxes” have been implemented to curb diabetes or obesity rates.

Several U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Seattle and Philadelphia, have also adopted similar taxes on sugary beverages.

The World Health Organization estimates 830 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. Meanwhile, heart disease claims nearly 18 million lives each year.