Sugary Drinks Linked to Rising Deaths, Chronic Diseases in Nigeria — Health Expert 

A public health expert has warned that the consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) is fueling a health emergency in Nigeria.

The widespread intake of sugary drinks is contributing to a growing crisis of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases in the country.

SSBs contain added sugars like sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners, which give the body far more energy than it needs.

An average bottle of SSB contains nearly 14 cubes of sugar, exceeding the daily sugar intake recommended by health experts.

This excess sugar can cause a sudden rise and crash in blood sugar levels, leading to fatigue, mood swings, and serious health problems like heart disease, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes.

Nigeria has become one of the largest consumers of sugary drinks in Africa, with over 54 billion liters consumed in 2024.

The rise in SSB consumption is happening alongside an increase in fast food and processed snack consumption, contributing to a diet-related disease explosion.

Over 27.5 million Nigerians live with hypertension, and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 22% of Nigerians face the risk of dying early from non-communicable diseases.

Many Nigerians don’t fully understand the link between sugary drinks and long-term illnesses.

The food industry plays a major role in promoting SSBs, especially among the youth, by making them cheap, widely available, and heavily advertised.

To reduce consumption, a strong SSB tax is recommended, which should fund healthcare and public health campaigns.

Other supporting measures include clear warning labels on sugary products, limits on salt and sugar use, banning celebrity endorsements, and restricting marketing aimed at children.