Published Clips
Chad Neuman
Diabetes Linked to Soda Consumption
September/October 2005
A new student shows drinking sugary soft drinks ups your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Consumption of high-sugar soft drinks may lead to a higher risk of diabetes, according to a study published in the August 2004 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. The study pointed to a higher incidence of diabetes among women who consumed more soft drinks than among those who drank less soft drinks. (1) Researchers at Harvard's School of Public Health tracked more than 91,000 women and found that drinking soft drinks can lead to obesity and a greater risk of diabetes. According to the findings, women who drank less than one soft drink a month had half the risk of developing diabetes, while those who drank one a day doubled their risk.
Dr. Matthias Schulze of the German Institute of Human Nutrition led the study. "Soft drinks have little nutritional value, and if sugar-sweetened, may have the adverse effects on body weight and diabetes risk that we observed in our study," he says.
The soft drink industry shot back at the accusations of their product's contribution to diabetes and weight gain. "It is scientifically indefensible to blame any one food or beverage for increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes," states the American Beverage Association (ABA). ABA claims those who drink more soft drinks are also more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles, smoke and eat more.
As far as raising awareness of obesity and diabetes, Schulze supports a combination of awareness and personal responsibility. "In my mind, everybody still has to make their choice, and if one wants to drink soft drinks, there are options which do not have the drawback of weight gain. Drinking diet soft drinks instead of the sugar-sweetened [ones] may be an option," he says.
Although high-sugar soft drinks are now seen as even more of a danger for diabetes, it is not the only new finding related to increased risk of diabetes. Researchers recently discovered that eating high amounts of red, processed meats could raise the risk of diabetes as well. (2)
References
1. Schulze, M.B., DRPH, ET AL. "Sugar sweetened beverages, weight gain, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in young and middle-aged women." The Journal of the American Medical Association 292 (2004): 927-934.
2. McCooke, A. "Red, processed meats up diabetes risk," Reuters Health. November 8, 2004.
