Published on February 26, 2013
Updated on February 13, 2018
New research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows a link between the consumption of diet soda and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. The study tracked the beverage habits of over 66,000 women for over 14 years. The women self-reported their consumption of 100 percent juice, sugar-sweetened drinks and artificially sweetened drinks. By the end of the study period, 1,369 of the women were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that on average, the women consumed more diet drinks than sugar-sweetened drinks and that both diet and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was linked with a higher risk of developing diabetes. It’s not known whether the artificial sweeteners in the diet drinks actually cause diabetes, but past studies have linked these drinks with weight gain and increased risk of stroke and heart attack. There are many healthier alternatives to soda, such as seltzer water, tea and iced coffee that are flavorful and can stave off cravings for sugary sodas.
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