Core Insights - The study published by Yale University reveals a significant association between the consumption of sweetened beverages (both sugary and artificially sweetened) and adverse liver health outcomes, indicating that daily intake of these beverages increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction-related fatty liver disease (MASLD), severe liver disease, and chronic liver disease mortality [2][4]. Group 1: Study Overview - The research utilized data from the UK Biobank, involving 173,840 participants aged 40-69, and applied Cox proportional hazards regression models to analyze the relationship between sweetened beverage consumption and liver health outcomes [3]. - At baseline, 14.2% of participants consumed at least one sugary drink daily, while 10.8% consumed at least one artificially sweetened drink daily, with one serving defined as 250mL [3]. Group 2: Findings on Beverage Consumption - Each additional serving of sugary beverages per day was associated with a 10% increase in MASLD risk, a 21% increase in cirrhosis risk, an 18% increase in severe liver disease risk, and a 37% increase in chronic liver disease mortality risk [4]. - For artificially sweetened beverages, each additional serving per day correlated with a 15% increase in MASLD risk, a 14% increase in severe liver disease risk, and a 41% increase in chronic liver disease mortality risk [4]. Group 3: Health Improvement Potential - Reducing sweetened beverage intake may significantly improve liver health; substituting one serving of sugary drinks with tea or coffee is linked to a 10%-32% reduction in risks associated with MASLD, cirrhosis, severe liver disease, and chronic liver disease mortality [5]. - Similarly, replacing one serving of artificially sweetened beverages with tea or coffee is associated with a 14%-34% reduction in the same health risks [5]. Group 4: Protein Signatures and Health Risks - The study identified specific proteomic signatures associated with sweetened beverage consumption that correlate with increased risks of MASLD, cirrhosis, severe liver disease, and chronic liver disease mortality [5]. - For sugary beverages, each standard deviation increase in related proteomic features was linked to a 65% increase in MASLD risk, a 52% increase in cirrhosis risk, a 111% increase in severe liver disease risk, and a 53% increase in chronic liver disease mortality risk [5]. - For artificially sweetened beverages, the corresponding increases were 96% for MASLD, 71% for cirrhosis, 114% for severe liver disease, and 442% for chronic liver disease mortality [5]. Group 5: Implications for Dietary Recommendations - The findings underscore the importance of understanding how sweetened beverages impact liver health and suggest the need for personalized dietary recommendations to reduce the intake of these beverages to improve liver health and lower the risk of severe complications related to liver disease [6].

"劣质碳水是慢性炎症推手"的话题近日登上热搜，引发广泛关注。碳水化合物本是人体不可或缺的 营养素，却因"优劣"之分对健康产生截然不同的影响。长期摄入劣质碳水，不仅扰乱代谢、诱发慢性炎 症，还可能拉低颜值、增加患病风险。 那么，如何科学吃碳水？科技日报记者12月16日专访了国家注册营养师王亚卓，试图揭开碳水背后 的健康密码。 "'劣质碳水'并非专业术语，而是对加工精细、膳食纤维匮乏、升糖指数高、营养素流失严重的碳 水食物的俗称，含糖饮料、甜点、精制米面制品等均在此列。"王亚卓指出，这类食物成为慢性炎症"导 火索"，主要通过三大机制起作用。 一是扰乱血糖代谢，催生炎症因子。含糖饮料会让血糖在10分钟内飙升，剧烈波动刺激胰腺大量分 泌胰岛素，长期反复刺激会导致细胞胰岛素抵抗。身体为稳住血糖只能分泌更多胰岛素，过量胰岛素会 促使免疫细胞释放炎症因子，形成"高糖摄入—胰岛素抵抗—炎症暴发"的恶性循环。 二是破坏肠道菌群平衡，诱发"肠漏"。膳食纤维是肠道有益菌群的"口粮"，但劣质碳水在加工中几 乎剔除了所有纤维。长期食用会让有益菌锐减、有害菌疯长，打破菌群平衡，削弱肠道黏膜屏障，使其 出现"小缝隙"。有害菌产生的毒素进入 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the hidden dangers of visceral fat, which can lead to significant health risks even in individuals with normal body weight. It highlights the importance of awareness regarding visceral fat and its impact on metabolic health and disease risk. Group 1: Visceral Fat as a Health Threat - Visceral fat is the fat that surrounds internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines, and it is not visible like subcutaneous fat. This type of fat can lead to metabolic disorders and inflammation, posing serious health risks [6][7]. - The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that a waist circumference of ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women significantly increases the risk of visceral fat accumulation [7]. - Research published in The Lancet indicates that a 10% increase in visceral fat raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 13% and doubles the risk of diabetes [7]. Group 2: Causes of Excess Visceral Fat - High-sugar and high-fat diets are primary contributors to excess visceral fat. Consuming refined carbohydrates and trans fats leads to increased triglyceride synthesis in the liver, resulting in fat accumulation around internal organs. A study from Harvard University found that drinking one sugary beverage daily can increase visceral fat by 15% annually [9]. - Sedentary behavior and lack of exercise significantly contribute to visceral fat accumulation. Data from the Journal of Sports Medicine shows that sitting for two consecutive hours can reduce the activity of fat-decomposing enzymes by 90% [10]. - Chronic stress and lack of sleep also play a role in visceral fat accumulation. High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, promote fat storage in the abdominal area. Individuals who sleep less than five hours per night accumulate visceral fat 30% faster than those who get adequate sleep [11].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the hidden dangers of visceral fat, which can lead to significant health risks even in individuals with normal body weight. It highlights the importance of awareness regarding visceral fat accumulation and its implications for metabolic health [5][6]. Group 1: Visceral Fat as a Health Threat - Visceral fat is described as fat that surrounds internal organs, which is not visible externally but poses serious health risks such as metabolic disorders and inflammation [6]. - The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that a waist circumference of ≥90cm for men and ≥85cm for women significantly increases the risk of visceral fat-related health issues [7]. - Research published in The Lancet indicates that a 10% increase in visceral fat raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 13% and doubles the risk of diabetes [7]. Group 2: Causes of Excess Visceral Fat - High-sugar and high-fat dietary habits are identified as primary contributors to excess visceral fat. Consuming refined carbohydrates and trans fats leads to increased triglyceride synthesis in the liver, resulting in fat accumulation around internal organs. A study from Harvard University found that drinking one sugary beverage daily can increase visceral fat by 15% annually [9]. - Sedentary behavior and lack of exercise are also significant factors. Data from the Journal of Sports Medicine shows that sitting for two consecutive hours can reduce fat breakdown enzyme activity by 90%, making it easier for fat to accumulate in the abdominal area [10]. - Chronic stress and lack of sleep contribute to visceral fat accumulation. Elevated cortisol levels, a stress hormone, promote muscle breakdown and fat storage in the abdomen. Individuals sleeping less than five hours per night experience a 30% faster accumulation of visceral fat compared to those with adequate sleep [11].

Core Points - The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) of the UAE is set to implement a new tiered tax system for sugary beverages starting in 2026, which will classify drinks based on their sugar content per 100 milliliters [2] - Companies are required to submit sugar content reports from accredited laboratories and obtain compliance certificates; otherwise, their products will be automatically classified as high-sugar beverages [2] - The new tax system categorizes beverages into four tiers: high sugar (≥8g/100ml), medium sugar (5–8g), low sugar (<5g), and no sugar (0% tax rate), while carbonated drinks will be taxed based on sugar content and energy drinks will maintain the current 100% tax rate [2] - The FTA has indicated that there will be a sufficient preparation period for companies to adjust their formulations and systems to ensure a smooth transition to the new tax regime [2]

Core Viewpoint - The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the "3by35" initiative, urging countries to implement health taxes to increase the actual prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035, aiming to curb chronic diseases and generate significant public revenue [1][7]. Group 1: Health Tax Implementation - Health taxes are levied on products that negatively impact public health, with China already taxing tobacco and alcohol, but the effectiveness in changing consumption behavior remains limited [1][3]. - Experts suggest that China should regularly increase tobacco tax rates every 1-2 years to counteract the increasing affordability of tobacco products [2][3]. - The average tax share of tobacco products in China is around 52%, which is below the global average of 62.6% [3][4]. Group 2: Tobacco and Alcohol Taxation - Tobacco tax is considered the most effective measure for tobacco control, with a 10% price increase leading to a 4-8% decrease in consumption, especially among low-income groups [2][5]. - The current alcohol tax rate in China is 15.6%, significantly lower than the average of 25.9% in upper-middle-income countries, indicating room for improvement [4][5]. - The reliance on ad valorem taxes (based on price) rather than specific taxes (based on quantity) for tobacco and alcohol in China is highlighted as a potential area for reform [4][5]. Group 3: Economic Impact of Tobacco Use - In 2020, tobacco use caused direct and indirect economic losses in China amounting to 24.3 trillion yuan, far exceeding the tax revenue from the tobacco industry of 15.2 trillion yuan [6]. - The dual benefit of increasing tobacco taxes is emphasized, where higher prices lead to reduced consumption and increased government revenue [5][6]. Group 4: Sugary Drink Taxation - WHO's initiative also calls for the taxation of sugary drinks, with 59.1% of the global population currently covered by such taxes [7][10]. - The potential for a sugary drink tax in China faces challenges, including the need for social consensus and a well-defined administrative framework [8][9]. - The definition of sugary drinks by WHO includes all beverages containing free sugars, suggesting that even natural fruit juices should be considered for taxation [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the harmful impact of sugary drinks on the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), highlighting a significant correlation between the consumption of these beverages and the increased incidence and mortality rates of CRC among younger populations [2][6][9]. Group 1: Sugary Drinks and Colorectal Cancer - Sugary drinks, defined as liquids containing added sugars like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, have seen a global increase in consumption since the 1980s, closely linked to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes [2][6]. - A study published by researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center indicates that fructose and glucose from sugary drinks enhance CRC metastasis through the activation of the enzyme sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) [3][9]. - Epidemiological studies have shown that the intake of sugary drinks is associated with a doubling of the risk of developing CRC in younger individuals [6]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Action - The latest research reveals that a combination of glucose and fructose enhances the migratory and metastatic potential of CRC cells compared to glucose alone, reflecting the composition of sugary drinks [7]. - The mechanism involves the activation of the polyol pathway, which increases the NAD⁺/NADH ratio, thereby accelerating glycolytic activity and promoting the activation of the mevalonate pathway, ultimately facilitating cancer cell migration and metastasis [7][9]. Group 3: Implications for Treatment - The findings suggest potential dietary interventions and treatment strategies to inhibit the metastasis of CRC in patients, highlighting the need for awareness regarding the consumption of sugary drinks [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the increasing concern regarding the consumption of sugary drinks and their association with colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly among younger populations, emphasizing the need for further research on the impact of these beverages on cancer progression and metastasis [2][6]. Group 1: Sugary Drinks and Colorectal Cancer - Sugary drinks, defined as liquids containing added sugars like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, have seen a global increase in consumption since the 1980s, correlating with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease [2]. - The consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to a doubling of the risk of developing colorectal cancer in younger individuals, as confirmed by large-scale epidemiological studies [6]. Group 2: Research Findings - A recent study published in Nature Metabolism reveals that fructose and glucose from sugary drinks enhance colorectal cancer metastasis through the activation of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) [3][9]. - The research indicates that a combination of glucose and fructose significantly increases the migration and metastatic potential of colorectal cancer cells compared to glucose alone, suggesting a specific mechanism involving the NAD⁺/NADH ratio and glycolytic activity [7]. Group 3: Implications for Treatment and Diet - The findings of this research underscore the harmful effects of sugary drinks on the progression of colorectal cancer and suggest potential dietary interventions and treatment strategies to inhibit metastasis in patients [9].

Core Viewpoint - Oral health is a crucial component of overall health, and there are various behaviors that can harm teeth, necessitating scientific dental care practices [1] Group 1: Harmful Behaviors - Frequent consumption of sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay as sugars are broken down by bacteria, producing organic acids that demineralize tooth enamel [3] - Biting hard objects can cause tooth mobility and cracks, leading to complex dental issues [4] - Alternating between hot and cold stimuli can increase tooth sensitivity, affecting overall dental health [4] - Incorrect brushing habits, such as using excessive force or hard-bristled brushes, can wear down tooth enamel and lead to gum issues [4] Group 2: Recommended Dental Care Practices - Limit sugar and acidic food intake, and rinse with water after consuming sugary items to protect teeth [6] - Brush teeth at least twice daily for 2-3 minutes, avoiding aggressive brushing techniques [8] - Choose appropriate toothpaste based on dental conditions, such as fluoride toothpaste for cavity prevention or sensitivity toothpaste for sensitive teeth [8] - Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between teeth, as cavities often occur in these areas [10] - Regular dental cleanings are recommended, ideally every six months to a year, to prevent periodontal disease [11] - Timely extraction of problematic teeth is essential to avoid complications such as pain and infection [13]

Core Insights - Global warming is influencing dietary habits, leading to increased sugar consumption as temperatures rise [1][2] - A study indicates that for every 1°C increase in temperature, daily added sugar intake rises by 0.70 grams per person [1] - By 2095, if global temperatures rise by approximately 5°C, Americans may consume an additional 3 grams of added sugar daily, equivalent to the sugar in half a can of soda [2] Group 1: Impact of Temperature on Sugar Consumption - Higher temperatures correlate with increased purchases of sugary beverages and frozen desserts, as they serve as affordable and accessible options for cooling down [1] - The study analyzed food purchasing records from 2004 to 2019 alongside weather data, revealing a clear pattern of rising sugar intake with increasing heat [1] Group 2: Health Implications and Recommendations - Excessive intake of added sugars is linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, exacerbated by climate change [2] - The combination of high temperatures and high-sugar diets is intensifying nutritional inequality, necessitating a broader view of climate change impacts beyond environmental factors [2] - Future climate adaptation strategies should include healthier food policies, such as subsidies for healthy beverages during hot seasons and promoting low-sugar dietary options in communities [2]