Daily Consumption of Artificially Sweetened Soft Drinks May Elevate Diabetes Risk by Over 30%

A recent study conducted in Australia reveals that consuming just one can of artificially sweetened soft drink each day could increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by approximately 38%. The research, which followed over 36,000 adults aged between 40 and 69 years for nearly 14 years, found that even beverages marketed as healthier alternatives might pose significant health risks.

Surprisingly, the study highlighted that the risk associated with artificially sweetened soft drinks surpasses that linked to sugar-sweetened beverages, such as regular sodas, which showed a 23% increased risk. The findings emphasize that the connection between diet drinks and diabetes persists regardless of other factors like body weight, suggesting a direct impact on metabolism.

Led by Professor Barbora de Courten from Monash University and RMIT University, and Associate Professor Allison Hodge from the Cancer Council Victoria, the study adds to the growing concern about the health effects of non-nutritive sweetened beverages. As Dr. Robel Hussen Kabthymer explains, drinking one or more artificially sweetened drinks daily substantially raises diabetes risk.

The researchers argue that current public health policies should expand their focus beyond sugar-laden drinks. While initiatives like sugary drink taxes are crucial, measures addressing artificially sweetened options are equally important. These beverages are often perceived as safer, but the new evidence suggests they may carry their own health implications.

The study's data was derived from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, which thoroughly analyzed lifestyle, diet, education, and health factors to ensure comprehensive results. Considering that type 2 diabetes affects over 1.3 million Australians and more than half a billion people globally, these insights underscore the importance of scrutinizing all types of non-nutritive sweetened beverages.

This research challenges the prevailing notion that diet drinks are a harmless alternative and highlights the need for more informed public health strategies to mitigate diabetes risk associated with these commonly consumed beverages.

[Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-artificially-sweetened-soft-daily-diabetes.html]