[Young journalist Oh Sihyun] The most frequently consumed beverage among adults in Korea is sugar-free coffee, including Americano. Due to the trend for lower sugar intake, sugar intake has decreased. 

Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES), which is conducted annually and samples approximately 10,000 people, on the 9th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported ‘Recent 5 years (2019-2023) Beverage Consumption Trends Among Koreans'. Based on 2023 data, the most consumed beverage among Koreans aged one and older is sugar-free coffee, which includes Americano (112.1g). Over the past 5 years, 28.2g has increased. 

Americano ranked in 1st place for consumption among all age groups aged 20 and older, making it the drink that the whole population consumes. 

Following sugar-free coffee, carbonated soft drinks(48.9g) were the second most consumed beverage. 

For carbonated beverages, the consumption of low-calorie carbonated drinks increased by 17.8g, while sugar-containing carbonated beverages decreased by 8.8g.


By beverage type according to age group, adults in their 20s and older drank Americano the most, teenagers drank carbonated beverages the most, and children under 10 drank fruit and vegetable drinks such as juice the most.

Overall, while the amount of beverages that are consumed has increased, sugar intake from beverages has slightly decreased. (approximately 1.0g) 

This is attributed to a growing awareness of sugar intake from beverages, leading more people to choose unsweetened coffee, such as Americano, and low-calorie carbonated drinks.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), individuals who consume beverages are up to twice as likely to excessively consume sugar compared to those who do not.

Particularly, there is a caution regarding children and teenagers, as their consumption of sugar-containing beverages is high. Experts advise that obesity resulting from excessive intake during these years can lead to chronic diseases in adulthood, and therefore recommend reducing consumption.

▶원문 기사: "콜라 아니네"…한국인이 많이 마시는 음료, '이것'이 1위 (이코노미스트, 2025.6.10)
 

◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with  이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

ⓒ이코노미스트(https://economist.co.kr) '내일을 위한 경제뉴스 이코노미스트' 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지