Effect of Regular Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Intake on Blood Sugar Level of Healthy Sedentary Adults

Abstract

The global increase in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, particularly carbonated soft drinks, poses significant public health concerns. These beverages are high in added sugars and offer minimal nutritional value, contributing to adverse health outcomes such as weight gain, insulin resistance, and an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes. Sedentary individuals, characterized by low physical activity levels, are especially susceptible to these metabolic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of regular SSB intake on blood glucose levels among healthy sedentary adults. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 20 healthy undergraduate students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=10), which consumed a 60cl bottle of SSB followed by 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, or a control group (n=10), which consumed the same beverage without subsequent exercise. Blood glucose levels were measured at baseline (fasting), and at 15-minute intervals post-consumption, culminating in a post-exercise measurement for the experimental group. Results indicated that both groups experienced significant increases in blood glucose levels following SSB consumption. However, the experimental group exhibited a more pronounced spike, with mean blood glucose levels peaking at 145.7 mg/dL compared to 126.1 mg/dL in the control group. Interestingly, post-exercise blood glucose levels in the experimental group decreased to 93.7 mg/dL, suggesting that moderate-intensity exercise may facilitate glucose regulation following high sugar intake. These findings underscore the acute glycemic impact of consuming a 60cl bottle of SSB in sedentary individuals and highlight the potential mitigating effect of moderate physical activity. Given the association between SSB consumption and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, these results emphasize the importance of limiting intake of such beverages and incorporating regular exercise to maintain optimal metabolic health.