The consumption of sugary beverages in Mexico has had a significant impact on the health of the population, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine and presented by specialists from the country. In 2020, around 46,000 adults died due to diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Jorge Vargas, a researcher at the organization El Poder del Consumidor, highlighted that these deaths represent a complex burden for the health system. The study, conducted by international health institutions, reveals that 30% of diabetes cases in Mexico and 14.9% of deaths from this disease are related to the consumption of sugary beverages. Regarding cardiovascular diseases, 13.5% of new cases and 9.2% of deaths were attributed to these beverages.
In the same year, of the 151,019 deaths from diabetes, 22,500 were linked to the consumption of sugary beverages, while of the 255,725 deaths from cardiovascular diseases, 23,500 were related to these products. The consumption of sugary beverages was responsible for one third of new diabetes cases in Mexico, where more than 14 million people live with this disease.
Specialists emphasized the economic burden on the health system, as in 2022 the Mexican Institute of Social Security invested 50 billion pesos to address diabetes, 37 billion for hypertension, and 21 billion for kidney diseases, totaling approximately 109 billion pesos annually.
To curb this epidemic of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases caused by the consumption of sugary beverages, it is crucial for the government to implement measures to reduce their intake. Proposed measures include increasing the special tax on these products, regulating advertising aimed at minors, especially in digital environments, and prohibiting the presence of these beverages in school settings. It is essential to highlight that a high percentage of minors in Mexico consume these beverages, increasing the risk of long-term diseases. Furthermore, it is requested that the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks declares sugary beverages as health-risk products.
