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Rising Heat Linked to Sugary Drink and Ice Cream Consumption, Study Finds

  • Writer: Minhoo Jeong
    Minhoo Jeong
  • Sep 8
  • 2 min read

Sep 8, 2025

Minhoo Jeong



As global temperatures climb, so too does the consumption of sugary sodas, juices, and frozen desserts — leading to higher intake of added sugars, according to new research. The effect is particularly pronounced among lower-income and less-educated households, raising concerns about widening health inequalities in a warming world.


A joint study by Cardiff University, the University of Southampton, the University of Rhode Island, and the World Bank found that climate change may be driving increased added sugar consumption in socially and economically vulnerable communities across the United States. The findings were published on September 8 in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Hotter weather makes people crave cold, sweet foods, the researchers explained. But while excessive added sugar consumption is known to fuel obesity and metabolic disorders, the direct link between climate change, dietary habits, and long-term health risks has been less clear until now.


To explore the connection, the team analyzed U.S. household food purchasing data from 2004 to 2019, alongside local climate data including temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and humidity. They discovered that within the 12–30°C range, every 1°C rise in temperature corresponded to an average increase of 0.7 grams of added sugar consumed per person per day. The bulk of this increase came from sugary drinks like sodas and juices, as well as frozen desserts such as ice cream and gelato.


The correlation was strongest among households with lower income and education levels. Based on current warming projections, the study estimates that by 2095 — when average global temperatures are expected to rise about 5°C above pre-industrial levels — daily added sugar intake could climb by as much as 2.99 grams per person.

“These findings highlight the urgent need to address worsening nutritional and health disparities in the context of climate change,” the research team said, adding that the results could inform food policy and climate adaptation strategies worldwide.



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