New Study Connects Coca-Cola to Fatty Liver Disease, Type 2 Diabetes: “It Shouldn’t Be Sold”
Coca-Cola is one of the most familiar drinks in the world, often viewed as a simple refreshment. But a major new study is renewing scrutiny of what regular soda consumption may be doing to the body, linking sugar-sweetened beverages to higher rates of fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
The findings have drawn strong reactions from health experts, with some questioning whether products like Coca-Cola should continue to be sold as everyday drinks. Specialist registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine said the drink’s sugar content is so concerning that “it shouldn’t be allowed to be sold,” while the company maintains its products are safe when consumed in moderation.
As metabolic disease rates continue to rise worldwide, the research raises new questions about how sugary drinks fit into modern diets and whether current consumer guidance goes far enough.
What the New Study Found
The research, published in the medical journal Nature Medicine, analyzed sugar-sweetened beverage consumption across 184 countries, using population-level health data rather than sales figures. Researchers examined how soda and similar drinks contributed to long-term disease outcomes.
The study found that in 2020 alone, sugar-sweetened beverages were linked to 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide, accounting for 9.8% of all newly diagnosed cases. The same analysis connected these drinks to 1.2 million new cardiovascular disease cases, or 3.1% of the global total.
Researchers said the burden was highest in regions where soda consumption is widespread and increasing, and warned the estimates likely understate the true impact, since conditions like fatty liver disease often go undiagnosed. While the analysis covered sugary drinks broadly, experts note Coca-Cola’s scale and reach place it at the center of the health debate.
Why Coca-Cola Raises Health Concerns
Medical experts say the concern isn’t just sugar, but how it’s consumed. Sugary drinks deliver large amounts of rapidly absorbed sugar without creating a sense of fullness, making it easy to consume excess calories quickly.
Coca-Cola contains high levels of added sugar, much of it as fructose, which is processed almost entirely by the liver. With frequent intake, the liver converts that sugar into fat, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.
Over time, this can disrupt blood sugar regulation and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, even in people who don’t see themselves as unhealthy. Researchers note that daily or repeated consumption compounds the effect, and that liquid sugar places a greater metabolic strain on the body than solid foods, making sugary sodas especially concerning.
What the Findings Mean Going Forward
The study has intensified debate over whether sugary drinks should face stronger regulation, including warning labels, taxes, or marketing restrictions. Several countries have already adopted such measures, while others continue to rely on consumer choice and industry self-regulation.
For consumers, the findings reinforce a growing consensus among health professionals: regular soda consumption carries measurable risks that build quietly over time. Cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages is increasingly viewed as one of the simplest ways to reduce long-term strain on the liver and lower diabetes risk.
While the research does not call for an outright ban, it challenges how drinks like Coca-Cola are positioned in everyday life. As evidence mounts, many experts believe the question is no longer whether sugary sodas affect health, but how much longer they should be treated as harmless staples rather than occasional indulgences.
