As global temperatures climb, researchers are warning that people could end up consuming more sugar—particularly those with fewer resources—raising fresh concerns about health risks linked to climate change.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that hotter days often push people to reach for sugary drinks or ice cream, a habit that could worsen obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. “Your environment definitely shapes what you eat and how you eat, and climate change is part of it—it might have an adverse influence on your health,” said study co-author Duo Chan of the University of Southampton in an interview with AFP.
The UK-US research team reviewed household food purchase data from the United States between 2004 and 2019, cross-checking it with weather patterns. Their analysis showed that for every one-degree Celsius increase within the 12–30°C range, people consumed an additional 0.70 grams of sugar per day. The effect was strongest among lower-income households and those with less education.
Lead author Pan He of Cardiff University explained that under extreme climate scenarios, disadvantaged groups could end up taking in up to five grams more sugar daily by the century’s end—on top of already excessive intake levels. For comparison, the American Heart Association advises men to limit added sugar to 36 grams per day and women to 24 grams, yet a single soda already packs about 40 grams. Most Americans consume two to three times the recommended daily limit.
The study also noted that sugar intake plateaued once temperatures exceeded 30°C, likely because people had already shifted their diets before reaching that threshold. Chan suggested this trend could be “even worse news,” since it shows people are adjusting eating habits earlier than expected.
Researchers further observed a drop in baked goods purchases during hot days, replaced by ice cream and other frozen desserts.
According to the World Health Organization, unhealthy diets are among the four leading drivers of diseases responsible for more than 70 percent of global deaths—making the study’s findings an urgent public health warning.
