
Study Links Daily Sugary Drinks to 25% Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk
A new meta-analysis of long-term studies suggests that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages—such as sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks—raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes more than consuming sugary foods. The research, which analyzed data from over 500,000 healthy adults worldwide, found that each additional 12-ounce serving of soda per day increased diabetes risk by 25%, while an 8-ounce serving of fruit juice raised it by 5%.
“The findings highlight why drinking your sugar is more problematic for health than eating it,” said lead author Dr. Karen Della Corte, a nutritional science professor at Brigham Young University. Unlike solid foods, sugary drinks lack fiber, protein, or fat, leading to rapid absorption and sharp spikes in blood glucose and insulin—key factors in metabolic dysfunction.
The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, builds on earlier research, including a 2008 study that found African American women who drank two or more sodas daily had a 24% higher diabetes risk than those who consumed less than one per month. The latest analysis reinforces concerns about liquid sugar’s unique metabolic impact, particularly fructose-heavy sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup.
Dr. Susan Spratt, a diabetes specialist at Duke Health (unaffiliated with the study), explained that food’s natural composition slows sugar absorption: “Higher amounts of fat and protein decrease stomach emptying, blunting the glycemic rise.” However, pairing soda with meals doesn’t eliminate the long-term risk, researchers caution.
Sugar consumption has evolved dramatically since the 20th century, with processed beverages becoming a dominant source. The rise of industrial sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup in the 1970s correlates with soaring obesity and diabetes rates, prompting public health debates over regulation and corporate influence.
The study underscores the importance of reducing sugary drink intake. “Sugar isn’t inherently harmful,” said Della Corte, “but modern processed forms—especially liquids—disrupt metabolism.” Experts recommend water, infused beverages, or whole fruits as safer alternatives. As diabetes rates climb globally, the research adds urgency to rethinking dietary habits shaped by an era of ultra-processed foods.
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Sources for this article include:
NaturalNews.com
Everydayhealth.com
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