The researchers analysed the findings of 17 previous studies into the subject and found that regular consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks was linked to type 2 diabetes rates regardless of whether the individuals were obese or not.
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A study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge found that for each 5 percent increased of a person’s total energy intake provided by sweet drinks, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes may increase by as much as 18 percent over a 10 year period. This fell to 13% once obesity, a possible confounding factor, had been taken into account.
The researchers did say that artificially-sweetened drinks and fruit juice were not healthy alternatives to sugar-sweetened drinks.
But the associations with diet sodas and fruit juices appeared to be based on shakier evidence, and because of that the study authors decided to avoid drawing any firm conclusions regarding those beverages. In addition, they say, fructose promotes hepatic lipogenesis and insulin resistance. However, this latest study is noteworthy because, after ignoring obesity, it still identifies a link between sugar-sweetened drinks and type 2 diabetes.
More research will have to be carried out to confirm that sugary drinks are directly causing these cases of type 2 diabetes.
However, assuming a causal association, they estimate that two million new-onset type 2 diabetes events in the US and 80,000 in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2020 would be related to consumption of sugar sweetened beverages.
They found that habitual consumption of sugar sweetened drinks was positively associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes, independently of obesity status.
“This study does not, though, provide strong evidence about whether this is because of the calories they contain or if there is something else going on in the body that is leading to an increase in risk”.
“Our findings and available evidence indicate a benefit of reducing the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes”, said the study authors in the British Medical Journal.
The news comes as the Star and the council’s public health team are runnign the Swap the Pop campaign, which is encouraging people to cut out sugary drinks and have more water.
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Artificially sweetened beverages included low-caloric soft drinks, while fruit juice was defined as 100 per cent fruit juice, or fruit juice assessed separately from fruit drinks.
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American Beverage Association
To be clear, this ‘research’ is not the result of clinical trials; therefore, these findings cannot be read as proving a direct link between sugary drinks and type 2 diabetes. Even so, our industry is committed to being part of real solutions to public health challenges. We are helping people manage their calorie and sugar intake by providing a wide range of beverage options, a variety of package sizes and clear, easy-to-read information to help them make the choice that’s right for them. Additionally, under a new initiative called Balance Calories, members of the American Beverage Association are working toward a common goal of reducing beverage calories in the American diet by 20 percent by 2025. In sum, meaningful health behavior change relates to overall diet and activity, and we’re doing our part to promote this message. -American Beverage Association