While sugary carbonated drinks have long been linked to obesity and diabetes, new research reveals a deeper risk: accelerated aging. A recent study shows that consumption of sugary sodas is closely associated with the length of telomeres—protective caps at the ends of chromosomes often described as the body’s “cellular clock.” Shortened telomeres indicate cellular aging, meaning that drinking just one large cup of soda daily (about 570ml) could potentially age the body by 4.6 years.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco analyzed the daily drinking habits of over 5,000 American adults to quantify the “cost” of consuming sugary sodas. On average, U.S. adults consume around 1.5 servings (340g) of sugary carbonated drinks per day, already exceeding the American Heart Association’s recommended sugar limits. The analysis found that for every additional 8 ounces (227g) of soda consumed daily, physiological age increases by 1.9 years. For a standard 20-ounce (570ml) soda, daily consumption could accelerate aging by approximately 4.6 years. Alarmingly, about 20% of U.S. adults fall into this “accelerated aging” pattern.
Perhaps most strikingly, the study found that the impact of sugary sodas on telomere shortening is comparable to that of smoking. Medical records indicate that long-term smoking also shortens telomeres to an extent that accelerates physiological aging by roughly 4.6 years. This means that individuals who drink one large sugary soda daily may be damaging their cellular “genetic keys” at a rate similar to habitual smokers, pushing their cells toward premature aging.
The research team emphasized that sugary carbonated drinks are among the most destructive elements of modern diets. Their effect on telomeres highlights the systemic damage caused by “liquid sugar,” making the reduction of sugary drink consumption as important for cellular health as quitting smoking.
