Most people know that sugary drinks cause obesity and tooth decay, but they significantly underestimate or overestimate the actual sugar content in common beverages like chocolate milk and juice, according to a 2026 cross-sectional study of 61,002 adults across five countries. Gram Research analysis found that 35% of people underestimated sugar in chocolate milk and 30% underestimated it in 100% juice. Surprisingly, this knowledge gap does not consistently predict how much people actually drink, suggesting that awareness of health risks alone may not change behavior.
A major study of over 61,000 adults across five countries found something surprising: most people know that sugary drinks cause obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, but they don’t actually know how much sugar is in their favorite beverages. Gram Research analysis shows that people often guess wrong about sugar content in chocolate milk, juice, and sports drinks, yet this knowledge gap doesn’t always predict how much they actually drink. The research suggests that simply telling people about health risks may not be enough to change their drinking habits.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 61,002 adults from Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States found that 93% of people know sugary drinks cause obesity, yet only a minority can correctly estimate the sugar content in common beverages.
According to research reviewed by Gram, 35% of study participants underestimated the sugar content in chocolate milk and 30% underestimated it in 100% fruit juice, despite high awareness of health risks.
The 2026 International Food Policy Study found that 51% of participants overestimated sugar content in energy drinks and 51% overestimated it in diet soft drinks, suggesting confusion about these product categories.
Across five countries in a 2026 analysis of 61,002 adults, knowledge of sugar content in sports drinks, juices, and diet sodas showed weak or inconsistent associations with actual consumption patterns, indicating that information alone may not change drinking behavior.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether people know how much sugar is in sugary drinks and whether that knowledge affects how much they actually drink
- Who participated: Over 61,000 adults aged 18 and older from Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States who answered questions about their knowledge and drinking habits
- Key finding: Most people (93%) know sugary drinks cause obesity and health problems, but fewer than half can correctly guess the sugar content in common drinks like chocolate milk and juice
- What it means for you: Health warnings about sugary drinks may not be enough to change behavior. People need specific information about sugar amounts, not just general health warnings, to make better choices
The Research Details
Researchers collected information from adults in five countries between 2018 and 2021. They asked people two main questions: first, how much sugar they thought was in seven different types of drinks (chocolate milk, juice, sports drinks, energy drinks, diet soda, regular soda, and iced tea), and second, whether they believed these drinks cause obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. They also tracked how often people actually drank sugary beverages. The researchers then looked for patterns between what people knew and what they actually drank. This type of study, called a cross-sectional study, takes a snapshot of people’s knowledge and habits at one point in time rather than following them over months or years.
Understanding why people drink sugary beverages is important for public health. If lack of knowledge is the main reason people drink too much soda and juice, then education campaigns could help. But if people know the risks and drink them anyway, we need different strategies. This study helps identify which approach might actually work.
This study included a very large number of people (over 61,000) from multiple countries, which makes the findings more reliable and applicable to different populations. The researchers used consistent methods across all countries. However, the study only captured information at one point in time, so it cannot prove that lack of knowledge actually causes people to drink more sugary beverages. People also self-reported their knowledge and habits, which means some answers might not be completely accurate.
What the Results Show
The study revealed a major gap between health awareness and knowledge of sugar content. When asked about health effects, 93% of people agreed that sugary drinks cause obesity, 92% said they cause diabetes, and 95% believed they cause tooth decay. This high level of awareness was consistent across all five countries, with Mexico and Australia showing the strongest agreement. However, when asked to estimate sugar content, most people got it wrong. For chocolate milk, 35% of people underestimated the sugar content, while for 100% fruit juice, 30% underestimated. Interestingly, people often overestimated sugar in diet drinks and energy drinks, probably because they assume anything labeled as diet or energy must be extreme in some way. Only water was correctly identified by most participants, likely because people know it contains no sugar. The researchers found that this knowledge gap did not consistently predict how much people actually drank. In most countries, knowing the sugar content or health effects did not significantly reduce sugary drink consumption.
The study found important differences between countries. Mexico and Australia showed the highest awareness of health risks from sugary drinks. However, the connection between knowledge and actual drinking habits varied by country and by drink type. For sports drinks, 100% juices, and diet soft drinks, knowledge of sugar content was sometimes linked to lower consumption, but this relationship was weak and inconsistent. For chocolate milk, iced tea, and energy drinks, there was no meaningful connection between knowledge and how much people drank. This suggests that different drinks may require different strategies to reduce consumption.
Previous research has shown that simply providing health information does not always change behavior. This study confirms that pattern in the context of sugary drinks. Earlier work suggested that people need to understand specific numbers and amounts, not just general warnings. This research supports that idea by showing that people’s general awareness of health risks does not translate into understanding specific sugar amounts or changing their drinking habits.
This study only captured information at one point in time, so researchers cannot prove that lack of knowledge causes people to drink more sugary beverages. It is possible that people who drink more sugary drinks simply do not pay attention to or remember information about sugar content. The study relied on people’s own reports of their knowledge and habits, which may not be completely accurate. Additionally, the study did not measure other factors that influence drinking choices, such as taste preferences, price, convenience, or social influences. The sample size for the second study (about 38,000 people) was smaller than the first study, which may affect the reliability of those findings.
The Bottom Line
If you want to reduce sugary drink consumption, focus on learning the specific sugar content of your favorite beverages rather than just remembering that they are unhealthy. Check nutrition labels and compare drinks side by side. Consider switching to water, unsweetened tea, or drinks with less sugar. For public health efforts, education campaigns should include specific sugar amounts and visual comparisons (like showing how many teaspoons of sugar are in each drink) rather than just warning about health risks. These recommendations are supported by moderate evidence from this large international study.
Anyone who drinks sugary beverages regularly should pay attention to this research. Parents and educators should use this information when teaching children about healthy choices. Public health officials and policymakers should consider that warning labels alone may not be effective and that more specific information about sugar content might be needed. People with diabetes, obesity, or dental problems should be especially motivated to reduce sugary drink intake.
Changes in drinking habits typically take several weeks to several months to develop. If you switch to lower-sugar alternatives, you may notice changes in energy levels and weight within 2 to 4 weeks. Dental benefits may take longer to appear, as tooth decay prevention is a gradual process. Sustained behavior change usually requires consistent effort for at least 3 months before new habits feel automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do people know how much sugar is in sugary drinks?
Most people know sugary drinks are unhealthy, with 93% aware they cause obesity. However, a 2026 study of 61,000 adults found that many significantly underestimate sugar in chocolate milk (35%) and juice (30%), or overestimate it in diet drinks (51%).
Does knowing about sugar content help people drink less soda?
Not consistently. A 2026 cross-sectional study of over 61,000 adults found that knowledge of sugar content showed weak or no connection to actual consumption for most drink types, suggesting awareness alone does not change behavior.
What percentage of people know sugary drinks cause diabetes?
According to a 2026 international study of 61,002 adults, 92% of people correctly identified that sugary drinks can cause diabetes, with highest agreement in Mexico and Australia, yet this knowledge did not consistently reduce consumption.
Which sugary drinks do people most underestimate the sugar in?
A 2026 study of 61,002 adults found that chocolate milk had the highest underestimation rate at 35%, followed by 100% fruit juice at 30%, likely because people perceive these as more natural or nutritious than soda.
How can I better understand the sugar content in my favorite drinks?
Check the nutrition label for grams of sugar and compare it to daily limits (about 25 grams for women, 36 grams for men). A 2026 study suggests specific sugar amounts matter more than general health warnings for changing drinking habits.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log the specific type and amount of sugary drinks consumed daily, and record the actual sugar content in grams from the nutrition label. Compare this to your daily sugar intake goal to make the number concrete and meaningful.
- Use the app to set a specific reduction goal, such as replacing one sugary drink per day with water or unsweetened tea. Track successful substitutions to build momentum and see progress over time.
- Weekly review of sugary drink consumption patterns and sugar intake totals. Set reminders to check nutrition labels when trying new beverages. Monitor energy levels and any changes in weight or dental health over 8 to 12 weeks to reinforce positive behavior change.
This research describes associations between knowledge and sugary drink consumption but does not prove that lack of knowledge causes people to drink more sugary beverages. Individual responses to dietary changes vary. If you have diabetes, obesity, or dental concerns, consult with your healthcare provider or dentist before making significant changes to your diet. This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.