Rising temperatures linked to more sodas and ice cream among Americans

Tuesday 09 September 2025 - 08:30

By: Sahili Aya

Rising temperatures linked to more sodas and ice cream among Americans

Climate change may worsen public health in the United States by increasing the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, according to a new study published Monday. Researchers warn that higher temperatures encourage Americans to consume more sodas, juices, and frozen desserts, especially among lower-income households.

“Your environment undeniably influences what you eat and how you eat, and climate change is part of that, with the potential to negatively impact health,” explained Duo Chan, a researcher at the University of Southampton and co-author of the study published in Nature.

The study analyzed food purchase data from US households between 2004 and 2019 and compared them with local weather conditions such as temperature, wind, and rainfall. Findings show that for every one-degree Celsius increase in temperature (between 12°C and 30°C), daily added sugar intake rose by 0.70 grams per person. Most of this increase was linked to higher consumption of sugary drinks and frozen desserts.

The impact was even stronger among households with lower income or education levels. In the worst climate scenarios, disadvantaged families could consume up to 5 additional grams of sugar per day by the end of the century, said lead author Pan He from Cardiff University.

Health experts warn that excess sugar is associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that men consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day and women no more than 24 grams. Yet, a single can of soda contains around 40 grams, and most Americans already exceed the recommended intake two or threefold.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that sugar consumption plateaued once temperatures exceeded 30°C. According to Duo Chan, this may indicate that people had already shifted their eating habits at lower heat levels, which he described as “even more concerning.”

Unhealthy diets are among the top four risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, which account for more than 70% of deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). With rising global temperatures, scientists caution that the indirect health impacts of climate change could become an increasingly urgent challenge.