Just ONE can of Coca-Cola a week: health experts make new plea to stem obesity crisis

If you’re about to reach for a second can of sugary pop, you might want to reconsider.

Experts have said people should drink a maximum of one sugary drink a week – or risk a host of health problems from heart attacks to cancer.

A comprehensive review of research on added sugar found that overconsumption is linked to 45 different health conditions.

And those who like sugary drinks – such as B. carbonated drinks, smoothies and fruit juices – could be particularly at risk.

They urge people to stick to the World Health Organization’s six teaspoons a day to stave off risks ranging from diabetes to tooth decay.

A comprehensive review of research by scientists in the US and China on added sugar found that overconsumption is linked to 45 different health conditions

This equates to one 45g bar of chocolate, five chocolate digestifs or two 150ml glasses of fruit juice.

Scientists in the US and China reviewed evidence with 8,601 articles covering 83 health outcomes in adults and children.

They found that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was significantly associated with increased body weight.

For every sugary drink consumed, people have a 17 percent higher risk of heart disease – which leads to heart attack and stroke, a 4 percent higher risk of death overall, and a 4 percent higher risk of gout.

Significant harmful associations were found between the consumption of dietary sugar and 18 endocrine or metabolic problems, including diabetes, gout and obesity.

It has also been firmly linked to ten cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, and seven types of cancer, including breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Excess sugar has also been linked to other health problems, including asthma, tooth decay and depression, according to findings published in the BMJ.

Even fructose, a naturally occurring sugar found in many fruit juices, has been linked to a 22 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer per 25g per day.

The authors acknowledge that most of the evidence is observational and note that more research is needed on the relationship between “free” sugars and health problems.

However, they recommend limiting consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to less than one, 200–355 mL serving per week — the equivalent of a standard can — and sugar to less than 25 g per day — about six teaspoons.

“To change sugar consumption behaviors, particularly among children and adolescents, a combination of comprehensive public health education and policies worldwide is urgently needed,” they said.