American and Chinese researchers found that those who drink more than one sugary drink per week have a higher risk of developing several fatal diseases, including cancer.
The researchers found that for each additional sugary drink per week, the odds of suffering from about 45 different health conditions increased.
The World Health Organization recommends sticking to a maximum of six teaspoons per day to stave off health risks from sugar, which range from diabetes to tooth decay.
6 teaspoons of sugar equals about 25g of sugar, which can be found in one can of soft drink, one 45g bar of milk chocolate or two 150ml cups of fruit juice.
The main review found that each additional sugar-sweetened drink per day was associated with a 17% increased risk of coronary heart disease, a 4% increased risk of gout, and a 4% increased risk of death.
Experts also found strong links between dietary sugar consumption and metabolic problems, including diabetes and obesity.
It has also been closely linked to 10 heart problems such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, as well as seven types of cancer, including breast, prostate and pancreas.
Excess sugar has also been linked to other health problems such as asthma, tooth decay and depression, according to findings published in the British Medical Journal.
Even fructose, a natural sugar found in fruit juices, was associated with a 22% increased risk of pancreatic cancer, for every 25g consumed per day.
The NHS says adults should have no more than 30g of free sugars per day, which is roughly the equivalent of seven sugar cubes.
But the researchers recommended limiting the consumption of sweetened drinks to between 200-355 ml per week, which is equivalent to one can per week, and sugar to less than 25 g per day, or approximately six teaspoons.
"To change sugar consumption patterns, especially for children and adolescents, a combination of widespread public health education and policies is urgently needed across the world," they said.
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HEALTH UPDATE