There is ample evidence to suggest a link between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and metabolic disorders. A study published recently in the Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome evaluated the effects of SSBs commonly consumed by adolescents and their link with glucose metabolism and fatty liver.

7-week old experimental models were treated with water (control) or one of three different SSBs that included carbonated soda, milk-sweetened coffee, or chocolate-added cocoa for 13 weeks (n=10 in each group). About 50% of the models were fed a regular chow diet while the other 50% got a high-fat diet (40% fat). Body composition and biochemical variables were measured. Investigators also evaluated histology of the liver and adipose tissue, and molecular signaling related to glucose and lipid metabolism.

Experimental models treated with chocolate-added cocoa or milk-sweetened coffee had significantly greater elevation in body weight in comparison with controls, more so when fed a high-fat diet. Fasting glucose level was higher in the three SSB-treated groups compared with the control group. Additionally, lipid droplets in liver, fat cell size, and number of CD68-positive cells in adipose tissue were also higher in the SSB-treated groups. SSBs led to an increase in the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes in the liver and adipose tissue. SSB groups had decreased phosphorylation of AKT and glycogen synthase kinase in muscle.

Daily consumption of SSBs over a period of 3 months was thus shown to result in metabolic impairment and weight gain and seems to have a role in the development of metabolic diseases.

Source: Lee G, Han JH, Maeng HJ, Lim S. Three-Month Daily Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Affects the Liver, Adipose Tissue, and Glucose Metabolism. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020 Feb 7.