Abstract P074: Substituting Homemade Fruit Juice for Sugar-Sweetened Beverages is Associated with Lower Odds of Metabolic Syndrome among Hispanic Adults

Introduction: Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) has been consistently associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), while results on the role of fruit juice intake are conflicting. Hispanics consume both SSB and traditional fruit-based beverages; however, studies conducted on such ethnic group are scarce. Given the high prevalence of MetS among Hispanics, describing putative contributors to this condition is essential in proposing approaches that may successfully reduce its prevalence and avoid further complications. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that substituting fruit-based beverages traditionally consumed by Hispanics for SSB may be associated with lower odds of MetS. Methods: To determine the cross-sectional association between beverages consumed by Hispanics, and MetS and its components, data were analyzed in 1,872 Costa Rican adults who served as controls of a population-based case-control study of coronary heart disease. Multivariate adjusted means were calculated for components of MetS by servings (never, <1/week, 2–6/week, ≥1/day) of two traditional fruit-based beverages (‘fresco’ and homemade fruit juice, separately) and two SSB (instant drinks and regular sodas, separately and combined). Prevalence ratio (PR) of MetS was calculated for each beverage, and odds ratio (OR) was calculated by substituting one serving of homemade fruit juice or water for one of SSB. Results: Significant positive trends were observed for increasing servings of instant drinks and combined SSB with plasma triglyceride and waist circumference, and for regular soda with waist circumference (all P -trend<0.001). Increasing servings of homemade fruit juice were associated positively with HDL-C ( P -trend=0.033). Consuming ≥1 serving/day of instant drinks was associated with higher PR of MetS (1.42, 95%CI: 1.11, 1.83) compared to no consumption; similar results were obtained for combined SSB. Substituting one serving of homemade fruit juice for instant drink was associated with 29% (95% CI=7, 47%) lower odds of MetS, and for regular soda with 30% (1, 50%) lower odds. Substituting water for combined SSB was marginally significant (OR=0.86 (0.74, 1.00). Conclusion: In conclusion, reducing consumption of SSB and substituting them with homemade fruit juices in moderation, may be a culturally-appropriate approach to lower metabolic syndrome among Hispanics. Our study provides the groundwork for interventions on beverage intake that aim to prevent MetS and type 2 diabetes in Hispanic ethnic subgroups, and may support current public health efforts on limiting availability and intake of SSB, while substituting with a healthy beverage.