In one Mexican town, Coca-Cola consumption is more than water. According to the Guardian, Mexico leads the world in terms of Coke consumption per capita. Reports suggest that the indigenous community of Los Altos in Chiapas may be among Coca-Cola’s most devoted customers. With limited access to clean drinking water, many locals rely on soft drinks for hydration. This long-standing habit has led to a great dependence on Coca-Cola among residents. A 2019 study by the Chiapas and Southern Border Multidisciplinary Research Center (Simsur) found that the average Chiapas resident consumes more than 800 liters of Coca-Cola annually. That means about 3,000 cups (250 ml each) per year.
In Chiapas, Coca-Cola is also an integral part of the traditions and rituals followed by the communities. As The Sun reported, indigenous communities believe that this soft drink infuses good spirits and helps the sick. Some even believe that it helps heal a grieving family. No happy family gathering or big meal is complete without a Coke.
Also read: Artificially sweetened beverages may increase risk of serious heart disease by 20%: Study
Even children in this southern Mexican state consume a lot of Coca-Cola. Dr. Vicente Vaqueros, from a nearby agricultural town, told the New York Times, “When I was a kid and came here, Chamula (a village in Chiapas) was isolated and didn’t have access to processed food. Now, you see children drinking Coke, not water. Right now, diabetes is affecting adults, but the next stage will be children. It will overwhelm us.”
Also read: From cakes to burgers, 5 fun recipes you can make using cola
Excessive consumption of the drink is causing great damage to people’s health. Dr Marcos Arana, director of the Observatory on the Right to Health, told the Sun that type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the region. Dr Arana said the “epidemic” of obesity and diabetes has “reached catastrophic dimensions”. The expert also said that tooth decay is common in children due to excessive sugar consumption.
Despite the advice of health professionals, it is now difficult for addicts to make any changes to their Coca-Cola consumption, doctor and medical anthropologist Jaime Paige told the Sun. “They don’t want to stop drinking Coca-Cola because they are really addicted to it. People are addicted to Coca-Cola… it’s now part of everyday food. There’s always Coca-Cola in grown-up meals. Instead of giving children milk, they give them Coca-Cola. It’s a really big problem,” she said.
