Sugar Ethanol Bioenergy Int- Warmer temperatures in the United States are pushing people toward sugary products such as sodas and ice cream, according to new research, reports CBS News. The study, released Monday in Nature Climate Change, analyzed household food purchases from 2004 to 2019 to understand how changing temperatures influenced sugar intake. Researchers found that added sugar consumption rose sharply when temperatures ranged between 12 and 30 degrees Celsius (54 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
The increase was most noticeable when the average monthly temperature climbed above 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).Sugary drinks, including sodas and juices, accounted for the largest share of this rise. Frozen desserts like ice cream also went up, though at a slower pace. In contrast, sugar intake from baked items, oils, and raw sugar slightly dropped. The researchers suggested this shift may reflect a stronger preference for chilled and hydrating foods during hotter weather. The study also noted differences among groups of people. Households with lower incomes and lower education levels showed a greater rise in sugar consumption during warmer periods. By comparison, higher-income and more educated groups were less affected by the heat when it came to their dietary choices.
Researchers linked this to differences in work environments and greater health awareness in some groups.Experts warned that high sugar intake can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers.The study cautioned that climate change may worsen these health risks in the future. “Future warming could intensify problems tied to added sugar consumption, especially for lower-income communities whose daily intake is already well above recommended levels,” the researchers said.
