1339. The Relationship Between Climate Change and Sugar Consumption

Climate influences food consumption and nutrition through multiple pathways. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns affect crop yields, the nutrient content of crops, the abundance and distribution of seafood, and the health and productivity of livestock, which in turn affect food prices, nutritional value, and nutrition-related diseases. Extreme weather events can disrupt transportation and distribution networks and threaten food security, while climate-related factors such as changes in carbon dioxide concentrations can reduce the nutritional value of crops.

Though there is a wealth of literature on the supply side, few studies have assessed how climate affects dietary demand. Extreme heat tends to increase the need for hydration and the consumption of cold foods such as frozen drinks and desserts due to increased fluid loss caused by accelerated metabolism. Climate change, particularly in countries and regions accustomed to consuming high-sugar foods and beverages, may pose serious health risks by exacerbating excessive added sugar intake and significantly increasing the risk of obesity, various metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other health complications. However, these effects have rarely been quantified.

A study published in Nature Climate Change used household-level food purchasing data in the United States from 2004 to 2019 and found that added sugar consumption was positively correlated with temperature. In particular, in the temperature range of 12-30°C, added sugar consumption increased at a rate of 0.70 g/°C, primarily through increased consumption of sugary drinks and frozen desserts. Sweetened beverages emerged as the main driver, with consumption rising sharply between 12°C and 30°C (added sugars, 0.73 g/°C), while frozen dessert consumption increased much more slowly (0.06 g/°C). Sugars from bakery products, fats, and raw sugars declined slightly, suggesting a possible shift toward refrigerated hydration foods.

The magnitude of the impact of increased added sugar consumption in response to rising temperatures is predicted to be greater among households with lower incomes and education levels, placing vulnerable populations at even higher risk. The lower response of higher socioeconomic status groups to weather changes may be due to microenvironmental temperature differences, particularly in the workplace. Health concerns among higher income and education groups may lead them to choose healthier foods and beverages, as reflected in their lower consumption of added sugars. These groups also responded less to product promotions in hot weather, potentially leading them to choose low-sugar beverages for hydration; however, these beverages also contain free sugars and are not necessarily healthy.

These findings highlight the critical importance of mitigating the health risks associated with excessive added sugar intake and exploring dietary adaptations to climate change.

(Reference)
He, P., Xu, Z., Chan, D. et al. Rising temperatures increase added sugar intake disproportionately in disadvantaged groups in the USA. Nat. Clim. Chang. 15, 963–970 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02398-8

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program