Drinking a cold soda on a hot day seems harmless. However, this reflex could have much wider consequences than we imagine. According to a Chinese-American study, increasing temperatures are directly linked to an increase in the consumption of added sugars. A trend already observed on a global scale and which could worsen with climate change. Deciphering a phenomenon that is still little known, but has major issues.
Heat, an invisible driver of sugar consumption
The study carried out between 2004 and 2019 on tens of thousands of American households highlights a clear correlation: the hotter it is, the more the consumption of added sugars increases. This increase is particularly marked between 24 and 30°C, a temperature range where refrigerated sugary drinks become very attractive.
Concretely, each additional degree can lead to an increase of approximately 0.70 grams of sugar consumed per day. In the long term, the projections are worrying: with an average warming of +5°C by the end of the century, daily intake could increase by almost 3 grams per person.
This phenomenon is largely explained by physiological and behavioral mechanisms: heat increases hydration needs, but often directs people towards sugary drinks rather than water, particularly due to taste and habits.
Social inequalities in the face of risk
One of the major lessons of this study concerns social disparities. The increase in sugar consumption linked to heat mainly affects low-income or low-educated populations. Several factors come into play: limited access to fresh drinking water, high cost of healthy products, lack of air conditioning or even lack of nutritional information.
Conversely, the wealthiest households seem less affected by this trend. They generally have better living conditions and easier access to healthier alternatives.
This inequality reinforces an already well-documented problem: disadvantaged populations are more exposed to the risks linked to an unbalanced diet, in particular obesity, cardiovascular diseases and even certain cancers.
Soda tax and prevention: solutions still insufficient
Faced with this situation, several measures have been put in place. The tax on sugary drinks, adopted in more than 120 countries, including France since 2012, has made it possible to reduce their consumption and encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products.
However, this strategy has its limits. Some manufacturers replace sugar with sweeteners, the long-term effects of which are still poorly understood. Furthermore, a simple 33 cl can is already enough to cover the recommended daily sugar intake, which illustrates the scale of the problem.
Experts therefore call for more global actions: strengthening consumer information, improving access to free drinking water, extending taxation to other sugary products and better regulating advertising, particularly among children.
The link between global warming and food opens a new field of reflection in public health. Beyond environmental impacts, rising temperatures could worsen nutritional imbalances, particularly among the most vulnerable populations. In this context, fighting against overconsumption of sugar also becomes a question of adaptation to climate change.