Cold beverages and ice creams chosen to cool down on hot summer days unfortunately appear with a relationship that could trigger some health problems. New findings show that climate change could increase the risk of obesity through rising temperatures. Studies indicate that hot weather increases the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, which could have negative long-term health effects.
The research published in the journal Nature Climate Change examined household shopping data in the USA from 2004 to 2019 and compared it with local weather conditions. The results reveal that as temperatures rise, so does sugar consumption. During hot weather, the body demands more fluids, but this need is often met with carbonated drinks, fruit juices, and sweets instead of water. This situation particularly accelerates the increase in sugar intake during summer months.
The finding that each one-degree increase in temperature raises daily sugar consumption by approximately 0.7 grams means that transitioning from 12°C to 25°C equals about two teaspoons of additional sugar per person. The study states that temperature increases become more noticeable around 20°C, with the fastest rise observed between 24°C and 30°C. When temperatures exceed 30°C, sugar intake continues to increase.
If the effects of climate change continue at the predicted rate of global warming, it is likely that the average American’s daily sugar consumption could increase by approximately 3 grams by 2095. This additional burden could raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases in the long term. However, there are also findings indicating that this increase is not just a general trend: lower-income and less-educated groups are emerging as the most at-risk populations. Since these groups are already dealing with high sugar consumption, they are affected more deeply by the rise in temperatures.
Scientists acknowledge that the findings have an intuitive approach, but emphasize that obtaining concrete and numerical data is critically important. The research reveals that climate change does not only alter weather conditions but also influences people’s dietary habits, potentially leading to an increase in obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. It particularly highlights that these effects are more pronounced in low-income and low-education communities and could deepen social inequalities.
