Heatwave Sweet Tooth: Why Rising Temperatures Are Making Us Crave Sugar

Ever notice how, the hotter it gets outside, the harder it becomes to resist the siren call of a frosty cherry slushie or—good grief—yet another sleeve of store-brand popsicles? It’s like our brains just melt into one sticky puddle and, before you know it, we’re ordering sodas the size of a car tire just to “beat the heat.” Maybe we’re not weak; maybe we’re just… climatically challenged? So, a new study in Nature Climate Change basically confirms what my sweat-soaked T-shirt already knew: American sugar cravings go off the rails with every spike in temperature. Sodas, funnel cakes, slurpees—summer’s guilty pleasures come marching in. But hey, if climate change means more ice cream trucks, is it really all bad? Or are we hurtling toward a sweet, syrupy apocalypse, one frozen treat at a time? Think about that as you reach for another popsicle—then, if you’re brave enough, LEARN MORE.

A study published in Nature Climate Change found that warmer temperatures drive Americans to consume more added sugar, especially from sodas and frozen treats. What do you think?

“When I see a seagull eat funnel cake, I also want funnel cake.”

Tony Fandino, Poultry Inspector

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“Nothing a frozen insulin pop can’t fix.”

Adalinda Nunez, Hourglass Flipper

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“But I’m fat all year.”

Austin Sapkota, Unemployed