Sugary drink consumption predicted to harm Canadians’ health, cost economy: study
TORONTO — Canadians — especially young people — are consuming excessive amounts of sugary drinks, a trend that could have future consequences for their health and the overall health-care system, new research suggests.
The University of Waterloo study projects that sugary drink consumption will result in more than 63,000 deaths over the next 25 years and cost the health-care system more than $50 billion.
“The health and economic burden from sugary drinks in Canada is alarming,” study co-author Dr. David Hammond, an associate professor in the university’s school of public health and health systems, said in a release Friday.
“Cutting back on sugary drinks is one of the best ways to reduce excess calorie intake and to maintain a healthy body weight.”