Assuming liquid sugar is more harmful than other sources of kilojoules, is misleading.

There is consensus that obesity is a very serious health issue and being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. There is also consensus that eating and drinking too much energy (kilojoules) can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
 
However, some people assume that sugar itself, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), is more harmful than other kilojoules and plays a more direct role in causing diseases such as diabetes.

Expert reviews on the effect of SSBs on weight support the view that SSBs do not have a unique effect on body weight. Rather any effect of SSBs on weight gain is actually through the consumption of kilojoules and not something exclusively related to these beverages.
 
Diabetes UK’s view on the subject of sugar being more harmful than other kilojoules is as follows: “In Type 1 diabetes, the insulin producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed by your immune system. No amount of sugar in your diet – or anything in your lifestyle – has caused or can cause you to get Type 1 diabetes.  With Type 2 diabetes, though we know sugar doesn’t directly cause Type 2 diabetes, you are more likely to get it if you are overweight. You gain weight when you take in more [energy] than your body needs.” 
 
It has also been suggested that liquid kilojoules contribute to weight gain because they are less filling and are processed differently in the body when compared to solid food kilojoules. But a recent study conducted in adults showed that there was actually no difference for sugar consumed in a drink versus the same amount of sugar consumed in solid food.

There is also no conclusive evidence that sugar itself causes an increase in appetite or decreases satiety. Moreover a comprehensive review and analysis of human studies related to sugar addiction concluded: “There is no support from the human literature for the hypothesis that sucrose may be physically addictive.”

Again, it is total energy intake, not total sugar intake, that has been found to most strongly predicted obesity in Americans and any adverse effects from sugar are entirely due to the amount of kilojoules it provides.

The SSB industry has already committed to reducing sugar in their products by 58 - 75 kJ per capita by 2020 through product reformulation and reducing package sizes.  These industries also offered to subject this progress to external verification.

Many SSB manufacturers have introduced low kilojoule options of their brands and are investing in marketing, labelling and packaging to help consumers make informed choices about their consumption. This acknowledges that all beverages, including soft drinks, can be part of a balanced lifestyle. 

Obesity is a complex problem that requires an appropriate response that addresses its multiple contributors. Government and its health department as well as the food, and beverage industry all have their respective roles to play. We need to work together to put in place a long-term, sustainable plan.

Written by Yolande van der Reit, director, FTI Consulting