The Claim
In non-Hispanic white adults aged 18–70, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased waist circumference and increased proportion of visceral adipose tissue (VAT%), independent of changes in BMI or total body fat percentage.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Among non-Hispanic white adults aged 18–70, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to larger waist size and higher levels of fat around internal organs, even when overall body weight and total body fat remain unchanged.
See the scientific wording
In non-Hispanic white adults aged 18–70, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with increased waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue proportion (VAT%), even in the absence of changes in BMI or total body fat percentage.
When people drink sugary beverages, the fructose in them goes straight to the liver, where it gets turned into fat. This fat builds up in the liver and spills into the bloodstream as fatty acids. These fatty acids are pulled into fat tissue around the organs because that tissue is especially good at grabbing them, leading to a bigger waist and more fat inside the belly.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Sugar-sweetened and diet beverages in relation to visceral adipose tissue
This study found that people who drink more sugary sodas tend to have bigger waists and more fat around their organs, even if their overall weight hasn’t changed. So yes, sugary drinks can make you store fat in your belly even if you don’t gain weight.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.