The average beverage intake in South Korea has surged by over 20% in the past five years, according to a new analysis by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data, drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Survey, shows that unsweetened coffee—often in the form of iced Americanos—is now the most consumed drink across nearly all age groups.
In 2023, Koreans drank an average of 274.6 grams of beverages per day. That’s a sharp increase from 2019, when daily intake stood at around 229 grams. People in their 30s led the trend, averaging two drinks per day based on a 200ml serving size.
Coffee, especially sugar-free varieties, dominates drink choices. Among all age groups—from those in their 20s to those over 70—unsweetened coffee ranked as the top drink. Those in their 30s drank the most, with an average daily intake of 207.4 grams, followed by people in their 40s, 50s, and 20s.
While sugary drinks such as sweetened coffee and sodas have seen declining interest, sugar-free coffee consumption has steadily climbed. Average daily intake rose from 83.9 grams in 2019 to 112.1 grams in 2023.
Experts, however, warn of potential health risks from caffeine. A study by Xuzhou Medical School found that high caffeine intake is linked to a higher risk of anxiety—even among healthy individuals. Another study by Australia’s Catholic University showed caffeine consumption cuts sleep time by 45 minutes and lowers sleep efficiency by 7%.
Despite these concerns, the rise of healthier drink choices is evident. Low-calorie sodas, often labeled as “zero drinks,” have gained significant popularity. Their intake has more than tripled across all age groups, with teenagers showing the largest increase.
Euromonitor, a market research firm, reported that the domestic zero-calorie beverage market grew nearly eightfold over the past five years. By 2023, the market was worth more than 1.2 trillion won.
Still, challenges remain—especially among the youth. Teenagers consume more regular soda than any other age group, drinking more than twice as much as people in their 40s. This high sugar intake poses serious health risks. Data shows that young people who frequently consume sugary drinks take in more than twice the amount of sugar compared to those who do not. Experts warn that excessive sugar can lead to obesity and, later in life, chronic diseases.
As beverage habits shift in Korea, the growing preference for sugar-free options marks a positive trend. However, rising caffeine and sugar consumption—especially among young people—continues to raise health concerns.
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