FIZZY drinks are to blame for one in ten new type 2 diabetes cases, a study claims.
Scientists warn sugary pop overloads vital organs and causes rapid weight gain.
Millions of consumers worldwide are believed to be damaging their health with the drinks.
US researchers used medical records on sugary drink consumption from 184 countries.
It estimated that 9.8 per cent of new type 2 diabetes cases in 2020 were due to sugary drinks, along with 3.1 per cent cases of heart disease.
The University of Washington study’s author Dr Laura Lara-Castor said the drinks are loaded with calories but not very filling, leading to over-eating.
Weight gain and chemical imbalance can then increase blood pressure and cholesterol, raising the risk of damage in the blood vessels and heart.
In the journal Nature Medicine, she writes: “Due to their liquid form, sugar-sweetened beverages are rapidly consumed and digested, resulting in lower satiety, higher caloric intake and weight gain.”
She adds: “These findings emphasise the need for targeted interventions.”
The study found British adults drink four sugary drinks per week each on average.
The Government introduced a sugar tax on them in 2018 to try to reduce the health impacts.
