The Claim
Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with lower abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume in middle-aged adults, independent of visceral fat volume.
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.
Middle-aged adults who drink more sugar-sweetened beverages have less fat stored under the skin in the abdominal area, even when accounting for fat around internal organs.
See the scientific wording
Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with lower abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume in middle-aged adults, even after adjusting for visceral fat, suggesting a potential impairment in the capacity of subcutaneous fat to store excess energy.
When people consume large amounts of sugar-sweetened drinks, the liver processes the fructose and builds up fat, which makes the liver and body less responsive to insulin. This reduces the ability of fat under the skin to take in and store fat from the blood, while fat around the organs becomes more efficient at pulling in fat, causing less fat under the skin and more fat deep in the belly.
What the research says
1 studyPeople who drink a lot of sugary sodas tend to have less fat under their skin around the belly, even if they have the same amount of dangerous belly fat as others. This might mean their bodies aren’t storing fat in the safe place as well as they should.
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.