I disagree that there has been a long exposure to refined sugars...

I disagree that there has been a long exposure to refined sugars in Europeans c.f. indigenous Australian population. Refined sugar has only been available since early 1900 and both populations are not adapted to handle it and it causes numerous problems in both. It is very addictive and consumers are convinced that they need it when they crave it and the effect gets worse if the diet generally is poor.
Consumption of soft-drinks loaded with sugar increases when caffeine is added, as in colas, because it is a diuretic and increases thirst, as does sugar, particularly the 50% which is fructose which is the most addictive of the two sugar components: glucose and fructose.
This is why renal failure and diabetes are major health problems.
Sugar consumption should be tagged as a health issue along with alcohol and tobacco.