Diet soda, often seen as a safer alternative to sugar-sweetened drinks, may not be as harmless as many consumers believe.
A study led by Robel Hussen Kabthymer and a team of Australian scientists found that drinking one artificially sweetened beverage per day is linked to a 38% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The research examined long-term beverage consumption patterns and the metabolic outcomes of participants, raising concerns about the role of non-caloric sweeteners in dietary guidelines and public health policy.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIET AND SUGARY DRINKS
According to the study, daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a 23% increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes.
However, researchers found that artificially sweetened beverages were linked to an even higher risk.
When adjustments were made for body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, the increased risk associated with sugary drinks was largely explained by body weight.
In contrast, the elevated risk linked to artificially sweetened beverages remained significant even after controlling for weight.
While the study does not establish direct cause and effect, researchers suggested that non-nutritive sweeteners may alter gut bacteria, potentially affecting insulin activity and glucose tolerance.
They also noted that some artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, may trigger hormonal or metabolic responses similar to those caused by sugar.
Another concern is that sweet flavors without actual calories may disrupt natural appetite signals, potentially influencing overall food intake.
The findings add to growing evidence that artificially sweetened products should not be considered risk-free alternatives to sugary drinks.
“Consumption of both sugar and artificially sweetened beverage intake may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Results highlight the need for public health measures to reduce the effects of sweetened beverage intake. Although our results corroborate recent efforts to reduce sugar sweetened beverage intake through taxation, this might potentially lead to shift in ASB use,” the researchers said.
They concluded, “Further studies are warranted to investigate both the causal effects and the underlying mechanisms of sweetened beverage intake on the risk of chronic health outcomes including type 2 diabetes.”
