Sugary Drinks, Sitting and Glucose Control: Evidence in the Australian Context

This thesis addressed potential adverse health consequences of sugary drink consumption. Australian soft drinks were demonstrated to have high glucose concentrations. A systematic review found insufficient evidence on Australian soft drink consumption and adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes. In a study using population-survey data, high consumers of sugary drinks were more likely to smoke, be physically inactive, have high triglycerides and liver enzymes compared with low consumers. In an experimental study, consumption of a sugary drinks by habitual soft drink consumers induced acute elevations in blood glucose and insulin. These findings can help to inform future research and public health advocacy.