Could Drinking Soda and Fruit Juices Increase Your Diabetes Risk?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Every additional 350 ml of sugary drinks increases T2D risk by 25%.
- Fruit juice consumption also elevates T2D risk by 5% per additional 250 ml.
- Liquid sugars can disrupt liver metabolism more than sugars in solid foods.
- The study underscores the need for stricter guidelines on liquid sugars.
- Choosing whole foods may mitigate metabolic health risks.
New Delhi, May 28 (NationPress) Are you a fan of sugary drinks like soda, fruit juice, or energy and sports beverages? According to a recent study, these drinks could elevate your risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Researchers from Brigham Young University in the US found that sugars found in or added to nutrient-rich foods—like whole fruits, dairy, or whole grains—do not lead to metabolic overload in the liver.
These naturally occurring sugars create a slower blood glucose response due to the presence of fiber, fats, proteins, and other beneficial nutrients, the research team stated.
Published in the journal Advances in Nutrition, the study analyzed data from over half a million individuals across various continents.
The findings revealed that every additional 350 ml serving of sugar-sweetened beverages (including soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks) consumed daily increased the risk of developing T2D by 25 percent.
This significant association indicated that the increased danger began with the very first daily serving, with no safe intake threshold identified.
Moreover, for every additional 250 millilitres (ml) serving of fruit juice (including 100 percent fruit juice, nectars, and juice drinks) consumed daily, the risk of T2D rose by 5 percent.
Lead author Karen Della Corte, a nutritional science professor at BYU, stated, "This is the first study to establish clear dose-response relationships between various sugar sources and type 2 diabetes risk."
She added, "It emphasizes why liquid sugars—whether from soda or juice—are more detrimental to health than sugars consumed in solid form."
The team pointed out that sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juices provide isolated sugars, leading to a higher glycemic impact that can overwhelm and disrupt liver metabolism, resulting in increased liver fat and insulin resistance.
Della Corte concluded, "This study highlights the necessity for stricter guidelines regarding liquid sugars found in sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juices as they seem to adversely affect metabolic health."