Hotter weather pushes Americans to consume more sugary foods, affecting low-income households

ISTANBUL

Hotter weather is driving Americans to consume more sodas and ice cream to cool off, and the effect is disproportionately felt by low-income households, a new study says.

The research, published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change, examined millions of grocery purchases from 2004 to 2019.

It found that as temperatures increased between 54 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (12-30 degrees Celsius), people purchased more sugar-sweetened beverages and frozen desserts. Each degree of warming in that range resulted in approximately 0.7 grams of sugar per person per day.

If global warming continues, Americans may consume an additional 3 grams of sugar per day by the end of the century, according to the study.

That may seem insignificant, but researchers say it adds up, particularly for families already dealing with high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Wealthier and more educated households were less likely to adjust their diets in response to the weather, instead opting for water or healthier drinks.