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Doctors warn: Sugary coffee drinks linked to disease
9 Mar
Summary
- Excess sugar consumption is linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
- One medium Dunkin' coffee can contain over 80 grams of added sugar.
- Experts advise starting with unsweetened coffee and customizing with zero added sugar.
Health officials are questioning the safety of high-sugar coffee beverages offered by major chains, with concerns amplified by medical professionals. A medium-sized Dunkin' Caramel Crème Frozen Coffee reportedly contains 132 grams of sugar, while Starbucks' Grande Caramel Frappuccino has about 55 grams. These figures significantly surpass the American Heart Association's daily recommended intake of 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat highlighted that 100 grams of sugar is equivalent to roughly 25 teaspoons, a quantity many teenagers are unaware they are consuming. The detrimental effects of excess sugar include increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Furthermore, an alarming rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among young patients and dental cavities are also attributed to high sugar consumption.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Mackenzie Burgess suggests starting with an unsweetened coffee base and adding minimal, preferably sugar-free, flavorings. She noted that drinking sugar is less satiating than eating it, making overconsumption easier. Burgess also pointed out that some studies suggest excess sugar can negatively impact brain memory function.
