Asthma is one of the most common diseases affecting children in the United Kingdom. Many families struggle with managing asthma symptoms, which can often lead to hospital visits, especially during severe attacks. A surprising new study has found that the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy, introduced to reduce sugar consumption, has also led to a significant drop in childhood hospital admissions for asthma.

This article explains the key findings of the study, why they matter, and how reducing sugar intake may benefit children’s health beyond preventing obesity.

What Is the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy?

The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy, often called the sugar tax, was announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018. It was designed to reduce the amount of sugar in soft drinks by encouraging manufacturers to reformulate their products. Drinks with more than 5 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters were taxed, with a higher tax for those with more than 8 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters. Drinks with less than 5 grams of sugar, as well as 100% fruit juices and milk-based drinks, were exempt from the tax.

Before the tax, almost half (49%) of soft drinks in the UK had more than 5 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters. Just one year after the tax was introduced, this dropped to 15%. This change led to an 8-gram reduction in the amount of sugar bought from soft drinks per household each week.


Why Sugar Matters for Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, making it hard to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening and often require hospitalization.

Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks, are a major source of free sugar in the UK diet. Research has shown that high sugar intake is linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. More recently, studies have also suggested a link between sugar consumption and asthma. Children who consume large amounts of sugary drinks are more likely to develop asthma, and those with high sugar intake may have more severe asthma symptoms.

One explanation for this link is that obesity, which is often caused by high sugar intake, increases the risk of asthma. Obesity can lead to inflammation in the body, including the lungs, which can worsen asthma symptoms. Another possible reason is that sugar, especially fructose, can cause inflammation and increase the production of uric acid, which is linked to allergic inflammation in the airways.


What did the Study Found?

The study used data from the National Health Service on hospital admissions for asthma in children aged 5 to 18 years in England. Researchers looked at data from 2012 to 2020, covering the period before and after the sugar tax was introduced. They used a method called interrupted time series analysis to compare the actual rates of asthma admissions with what would have happened if the sugar tax had never been introduced.


Overall Reduction in Asthma Admissions

The study found that 22 months after the sugar tax was introduced, hospital admissions for asthma in children had dropped by 20.9%. This means that for every 100,000 children, there were 4 fewer asthma-related hospital admissions each month compared to what was expected if the tax had not been introduced.


Reductions Across All Age Groups

The study looked at three age groups: 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-18 years. All age groups showed a reduction in asthma admissions:

  • Children aged 5-9 years saw an 18.6% reduction in hospital admissions.
  • Children aged 10-14 years experienced the largest reduction at 24.3%.
  • Adolescents aged 15-18 years had a 15.6% reduction in admissions.

Interestingly, the younger age groups saw a reversal of the upward trend in asthma admissions after the tax was introduced, while the older age group saw the trend stabilize.


Impact Across Socioeconomic Groups

The study also examined how the sugar tax affected children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. It divided children into five groups based on the level of deprivation in their neighborhoods. All groups saw reductions in asthma admissions, but the relative reduction was higher in less deprived areas:t

  • In the most deprived areas, asthma admissions fell by 15.5%. 
  • In the least deprived areas, admissions dropped by 26.4%.

This difference might be because children in more deprived areas are exposed to other asthma risk factors, such as tobacco smoke, pollution, stress, and poor asthma management. These factors may have masked some of the benefits of reduced sugar intake.


Why This Matters

The UK sugar tax was introduced to reduce childhood obesity, but this study shows that it may have had an additional benefit: reducing severe asthma cases. This finding is important for several reasons.


Better Health Outcomes for Children

Asthma can be a serious and life-threatening condition, especially in children. Reducing hospital admissions means fewer severe asthma attacks, less stress for families, and lower healthcare costs. It also means that children can spend more time at school and participating in activities, rather than dealing with hospital visits.


Evidence for Sugar Taxes

This study provides strong evidence that sugar taxes can have wide-ranging health benefits. While many people support sugar taxes for reducing obesity, this research shows that cutting sugar intake can also reduce the risk of other diseases, such as asthma. Countries that are considering introducing a sugar tax can use this study as evidence of the potential benefits.


Need for Broader Policies

The study highlights that while the sugar tax has had a positive impact, there is still more work to be done, especially in more deprived areas. Policies that target other asthma risk factors, such as smoking, pollution, and stress, are needed to ensure that all children benefit equally.


How Reducing Sugar Can Help with Asthma

The study suggests several ways that reducing sugar intake may help reduce asthma symptoms:

1. Lower Obesity Rates: Obesity is a known risk factor for asthma. Reducing sugar intake can help prevent obesity, which in turn can reduce asthma risk.

2. Reduced Inflammation: High sugar intake can lead to inflammation in the body, including the lungs. Reducing sugar can lower inflammation and improve asthma symptoms.

3. Fewer Preservatives: Sugary drinks often contain preservatives that can trigger asthma attacks. Reducing consumption of these drinks may help prevent asthma symptoms.

4. Less Fructose: Fructose, a type of sugar found in many soft drinks, has been linked to asthma. Cutting back on fructose can reduce asthma risk and symptoms.


Policy Implications

The study’s findings have important implications for public health policies, especially those aimed at improving children’s health.


Expanding Sugar Taxes

Currently, the UK sugar tax does not apply to 100% fruit juices or milk-based drinks, which can also be high in sugar. The study suggests that expanding the tax to include these drinks could further reduce sugar intake and improve health outcomes, including asthma.


Addressing Other Risk Factors

While the sugar tax has had a positive impact, children in more deprived areas still face many other asthma risk factors. Policies that reduce exposure to tobacco smoke, improve air quality, and provide better asthma management are needed to ensure that all children benefit equally.


Encouraging Healthy Diets

Promoting healthy diets, including reducing sugar intake, is essential for preventing asthma and other chronic diseases. Schools, parents, and healthcare providers all have a role to play in encouraging children to make healthier choices.

Conclusion

The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy has successfully reduced sugar consumption from soft drinks, leading to a significant drop in childhood hospital admissions for asthma. This unexpected benefit highlights the importance of reducing sugar intake for overall health. As more countries consider introducing sugar taxes, this study provides strong evidence that such policies can have wide-ranging health benefits, beyond just reducing obesity.

For parents, policymakers, and healthcare providers, the message is clear: cutting back on sugar can improve children’s health in more ways than one. Reducing sugar not only helps prevent obesity but can also reduce the risk of severe asthma, making it an important step towards healthier futures for our children.


This article is based on the study “The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy and childhood hospital admissions for asthma in England,” published in Nature Communications. Read the full study here

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