What does the world drink? A study reveals the overall intake of major beverages

The drinks we drink are an important source of daily calories and nutrients, but standard methods of monitoring drink consumption have been limited. In the latest and most comprehensive badessment of beverage consumption in the world, researchers found substantial differences in drinks consumed by different demographic groups in 185 countries.

"These preliminary data from the global food database project can help inform nutritional transitions over time, the impacts of these beverages on global health, and a targeted food policy aimed at improving nutrition." diet and health, "said Laura Lara-Castor, senior author of the student study at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Lara-Castor will present the results of the research at Nutrition 2019, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, which was held from June 8 to 11, 2019 in Baltimore.

"In particular, the consumption of sugary drinks and juices was highest in Latin America, where sugary and fruit-based fruit and homemade drinks are widely consumed," said Lara-Castor. "Milk consumption was highest in the high-income region (notably Sweden, Iceland and Finland), where dairy farming is more widespread and where dairy consumption has traditionally been a major source of milk consumption. important part of the diet ".

The research relies on 2015 data from more than 1,100 surveys representing 6.78 billion people worldwide, on drink availability data and other information.

Researchers found that consumption of sugary drinks was highest in Mexico, where the average adult drank more than 19 ounces a day (about 2.5 cups a day), followed by Suriname and Jamaica, where adults drank nearly 15 ounces a day. The lowest consumption was registered in China, Indonesia and Burkina Faso.

Fruit juice consumption was highest in Colombia (about 11 ounces or 1.4 cups per day) and in the Dominican Republic (nearly 10 ounces per day) and lowest in China, Portugal and Japan.

Milk consumption was highest in Sweden (more than 10 ounces or 1.3 cups per day), followed by Iceland and Finland, where adults drank an average of just over 9 ounces a day. China, Togo and Sudan had the lowest average milk consumption.

Within regions and countries, drink intake was generally highest among youth, those with higher education and those living in urban areas.