Experts from the Oral Health Foundation have warned of the dangers of drinking excess sugary drinks in light of a new study.

Described as startling new research, it has revealed a link between consuming sugary drinks and an increased risk of death from all causes. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, involved over 450,000 people across Europe and showed that those who had two or more soft drinks a day were more at risk of dying from heart disease, bowel disease and strokes.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, believes the findings are a stark reminder that a diet packed with added sugar is extremely detrimental for our wellbeing. He commented: “In the UK, we have one of the highest rates of sugar consumption worldwide. This study is a frightening eye-opener and reminds us that excessive amounts of sugar can be really harmful to our health.

“Added sugar is the main culprit when it comes to several major chronic diseases, including tooth decay, diabetes and heart disease. The toll it takes simply cannot be ignored. More must be done to drive down sugar consumption and incentivise healthier alternatives.”