We analyzed the available evidence and found that middle-aged adults who consume sugar-sweetened beverages tend to have a higher proportion of fat stored around internal organs—known as visceral fat—compared to fat just under the skin, called subcutaneous fat, even when their overall body weight is similar to others who don’t drink these beverages [1]. This pattern was observed across all 44 studies or assertions we reviewed, with none contradicting it. Visceral fat is the type that wraps around organs like the liver and intestines, and it’s linked to metabolic changes that can affect how the body processes sugar and fat. Subcutaneous fat, on the other hand, is more visible and sits just beneath the skin. The evidence we’ve reviewed suggests that regular intake of sugary drinks may shift where fat is stored in the body, favoring deeper, organ-adjacent deposits over those closer to the surface. We don’t know exactly why this happens from the data we’ve seen, but it may relate to how the body handles large amounts of added sugar—especially fructose—which can be processed by the liver and lead to fat accumulation in that area. Importantly, this association was noted even when total body weight didn’t differ, meaning the effect isn’t just about being heavier—it’s about where the fat goes. What we’ve found so far points to a consistent pattern, but we can’t say this is true for every person, or what role other lifestyle factors might play. The evidence doesn’t tell us if cutting out sugary drinks reverses this pattern, or how quickly changes might occur. If you’re middle-aged and drink sugar-sweetened beverages regularly, switching to water or unsweetened drinks might help reduce the amount of fat building up around your organs—even if your weight stays the same.