According to research reviewed by Gram, Mexico’s front-of-package warning labels on sugary drinks were more effective than the US’s updated nutrition facts labels at preventing increased soda consumption. A 2026 analysis of nearly 50,000 adults found that from 2020-2023, Mexican adults showed 12% smaller increases in soda drinking and 11% smaller increases in drinking frequency compared to Americans, suggesting warning labels help people avoid buying sugary drinks in the first place.
When Mexico put warning labels on sugary drinks in 2020, people drank them less often than Americans did after the US updated its nutrition labels. A Gram Research analysis of surveys from 2018-2023 tracked over 49,000 adults in both countries and found that Mexico’s bold warning labels were more effective at stopping people from buying sugary drinks in the first place. However, when people did buy them, they didn’t necessarily buy smaller amounts. The findings suggest that how you label products really matters for changing what people buy.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 49,593 adults in Mexico and the United States found that Mexico’s front-of-package warning labels reduced the increase in sugary beverage consumption by 12% compared to the US’s updated nutrition facts labels from 2020-2023.
According to research reviewed by Gram, Mexican women reduced their sugary drink volume by approximately 300 milliliters per week more than American women after labeling policy changes were implemented.
A 2026 analysis of 6 annual surveys found that sugary beverage consumption frequency increased 16% in the US but only 11% in Mexico after new labeling policies, suggesting front-of-package warnings were more effective at preventing increased consumption.
Research showed that among people who already consumed sugary beverages, the total volume, calories, and added sugars consumed did not differ significantly between Mexico and the US after labeling implementation, indicating labels primarily affect purchase decisions rather than portion sizes.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether warning labels on sugary drinks (like Mexico used) or updated nutrition facts labels (like the US used) actually changed how much soda people bought and drank.
- Who participated: Nearly 50,000 adults from Mexico (24,574 people) and the United States (25,019 people) who answered surveys about their drink habits every year from 2018 to 2023.
- Key finding: Mexico’s warning labels worked better at preventing people from buying sugary drinks at all. Compared to the US, fewer Mexicans started drinking more soda after the labels appeared. However, people who already drank soda didn’t necessarily cut back on how much they drank.
- What it means for you: If you’re trying to drink less soda, warning labels might help you skip buying it altogether. But once you decide to buy it, the label alone might not make you buy a smaller size. The type of label matters—Mexico’s approach was more effective than just listing calories and sugar on the back.
The Research Details
Researchers used a method called ‘difference-in-differences,’ which is like comparing two groups before and after a change happens. They looked at surveys from Mexican and American adults in 2018-2019 (before the new labels) and 2020-2023 (after the labels). This let them see what changed in each country and compare the differences.
The surveys asked people about their drinks from the past week. Researchers tracked five types of sugary drinks and measured whether people drank any at all, how often they drank them, and how much volume, calories, and added sugar they consumed. They adjusted their analysis to account for differences in age, gender, income, and other factors that might affect drink choices.
Mexico implemented mandatory front-of-package warning labels (the kind you see on the front of the package with a warning symbol), while the US updated its Nutrition Facts label on the back to make calories and added sugars more noticeable. These are very different approaches to labeling.
This research design is strong because it compares two real-world situations where different policies were actually implemented. By looking at the same time period in two countries with different label types, researchers could see which approach worked better. This is more realistic than a lab study because it shows what actually happens when people shop in real stores.
This study tracked real people over several years, which is more reliable than asking people to remember what they drank. The large sample size (nearly 50,000 people) makes the findings more trustworthy. However, the study only measured what people reported they drank, not what they actually purchased, so some answers might not be perfectly accurate. The researchers adjusted for many factors that could affect results, which strengthens the findings.
What the Results Show
From 2018-2019 to 2020-2023, soda drinking increased in both countries, but the increase was smaller in Mexico. In the US, the odds of someone drinking any sugary beverage went up by 26%, and how often they drank it increased by 16%. In Mexico, the odds of drinking any sugary beverage went up by only 11%—a much smaller increase.
When researchers compared the two countries directly, they found that Mexico’s increase was 12% smaller for whether people drank soda at all, and 11% smaller for how often they drank it. This suggests Mexico’s warning labels helped prevent people from starting to drink more soda or from drinking it more frequently.
However, among people who already drank sugary beverages, the amount they drank didn’t change differently between countries. Both Mexican and American soda drinkers consumed similar amounts of volume, calories, and added sugar before and after the labels. The one exception was Mexican women, who reduced their soda intake by about 300 milliliters per week more than American women did.
When researchers looked at men and women separately, they found that Mexican women responded more strongly to the warning labels than American women. Mexican women cut back on soda volume more than US women did. This suggests that women might be more influenced by warning labels than men, or that the warning label approach works better for women than the nutrition facts approach.
Previous research has shown that warning labels can change what people buy, but this study adds important new information. It shows that warning labels are better at preventing people from buying sugary drinks in the first place, rather than making people buy smaller amounts. This fits with other studies showing that labels on the front of packages are more noticeable and influential than information on the back.
The study only measured what people reported they drank, not actual purchases, so some answers might be inaccurate. The surveys were done online, which might not represent all adults equally—some groups might be less likely to take online surveys. The study couldn’t prove that the labels caused the changes; other factors like advertising, prices, or health trends might have also played a role. Additionally, the US and Mexico differ in many ways beyond just their labeling policies, which could affect the results.
The Bottom Line
If you want to reduce sugary drink consumption, warning labels appear to help you avoid buying them in the first place. The evidence is moderately strong that front-of-package warning labels (like Mexico’s) are more effective than updated nutrition facts labels at preventing increased soda consumption. However, if you already drink sugary beverages regularly, labels alone may not help you reduce the amount you drink—you might need additional strategies like setting personal goals or finding healthier alternatives.
Anyone trying to reduce their sugar intake should pay attention to these findings. Parents deciding what drinks to buy for their families might find warning labels helpful. Public health officials considering labeling policies should note that front-of-package warnings appear more effective than back-of-package nutrition information. People who already drink a lot of soda should know that labels might not be enough to reduce their intake on their own.
The study tracked changes over 3-5 years after labels were implemented. You might notice changes in your own habits within weeks or months if you pay attention to warning labels, but the biggest population-level changes took several years to appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do warning labels on soda actually make people drink less?
Warning labels help prevent people from buying more soda, but don’t necessarily make current drinkers buy smaller amounts. A 2026 study of nearly 50,000 adults found Mexico’s warning labels reduced soda consumption increases by 12% compared to the US approach.
Which type of label works better for reducing sugar intake—front-of-package warnings or nutrition facts?
Front-of-package warning labels appear more effective. Research reviewed by Gram found Mexico’s warning labels prevented 12% more of the soda consumption increase seen in the US, which used updated nutrition facts labels.
How long does it take for warning labels to change drinking habits?
Population-level changes take several years. The 2026 study tracked adults over 3-5 years after Mexico implemented warning labels in 2020, showing gradual reductions in consumption increases over that period.
Do warning labels work the same for men and women?
Mexican women showed stronger responses to warning labels than American women, reducing soda volume by about 300 milliliters per week more. This suggests women may be more influenced by warning labels than men.
If I already drink a lot of soda, will warning labels help me cut back?
Warning labels primarily prevent people from buying more soda, not from reducing existing consumption. If you already drink sugary beverages regularly, labels alone may not help you drink less—you might need additional strategies like setting personal goals.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your sugary drink purchases weekly by counting how many times you bought a sugary beverage and what size. Note whether you saw a warning label or nutrition information before buying. This helps you see if labels influence your decisions.
- When you’re about to buy a sugary drink, pause and look at the warning label or nutrition facts. Use the app to log whether you decided to buy it anyway or choose something else. Over time, you’ll see patterns in how labels affect your choices.
- Set a weekly reminder to log your sugary drink purchases and note what influenced your decision. Track both whether you bought any sugary drinks and how much you bought. Compare your patterns month-to-month to see if you’re gradually reducing your intake.
This research shows associations between labeling policies and reported beverage consumption but does not prove that labels directly cause behavior change. Individual results vary based on personal habits, preferences, and other factors. If you have concerns about your sugar intake or dietary habits, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized advice. This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical guidance.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.