A study released in Nature Climate Change on September 8, 2025, reported that hotter days in the United States are linked with higher sugar intake. Researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom studied how temperatures from 54 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 30 Celsius) influenced people’s buying habits. They discovered that Americans consumed over 100 million pounds (358 million kilograms) more sugar each year compared to 15 years earlier. Sugary drinks and frozen desserts became the predominant products purchased. The trend was strongest among families with lower income, less education, and outdoor work. Experts warned that this could worsen obesity and diabetes, problems that are already affecting many communities. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that average temperatures in the United States rose by 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 Celsius) since 1895 because of human activity.

The researchers explained that the rise in sugar use was not only about thirst but also about living conditions. Families without access to clean water or air conditioning were more vulnerable to this pattern. Health experts said that even a single extra soda each day may increase diabetes risk by nearly 30 percent. Specialists called the effect adverse for health and warned that it may intensify as global heat continues to grow. They also noted how the situation may perpetuate social inequality because poorer households face more impact. Scientists described the findings as noteworthy for public health research and viewed the link between heat and diet as unequivocal evidence of climate influence on human behavior.