AUTHOR=Vieux Florent , Maillot Matthieu , Rehm Colin D. , Barrios Pamela , Drewnowski Adam 

TITLE=Opposing Consumption Trends for Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Plain Drinking Water: Analyses of NHANES 2011–16 Data

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.587123

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2020.587123

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Choosing water in place of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) can reduce added sugars while maintaining adequate hydration. The present goal was to examine 2011–16 time trends in SSB vs. water consumption across US population subgroups.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Dietary intake data for 22,716 persons aged &gt;4 years came from two 24-h dietary recalls in successive cycles of the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES 2011–16). Water intakes (in mL/d) from plain water (tap and bottled) and from beverages (SSB and not-SSB) were the principal outcome variables. Intakes were analyzed by age group, income to poverty ratio (IPR), and race/ethnicity. Time trends by demographics were also examined.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> SSB and water intakes followed distinct social gradients. Most SSB was consumed by Non-Hispanic Black and lower-income groups. Most tap water was consumed by Non-Hispanic White and higher-income groups. During 2011–16, water from SSB declined from 322 to 262 mL/d (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.005), whereas plain water increased (1,011–1,144 mL/d) (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). Groups aged &lt;30 years reduced SSB consumption (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001) but it was groups aged &gt;30 years that increased drinking water (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Non-Hispanic White groups reduced SSB and increased tap water consumption. Non-Hispanic Black and lower income groups reduced SSB and increased bottled water, not tap.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The opposing time trends in SSB and water consumption were not uniform across age groups or sociodemographic strata. Only the non-Hispanic White population reduced SSB and showed a corresponding increase in tap water. Lower-income and minority groups consumed relatively little plain drinking water from the tap.</p>