In Massachusetts, Tufts University researchers published an epidemiological analysis showing a 46 percent higher risk of developing prediabetes for adult Americans who regularly consumed sugar-sweetened beverages compared to low- or non-consumers. Sugar-sweetened beverages were defined as carbonated beverages and non-carbonated fruit drinks such as lemonade. No link was found between diet soda and a risk of prediabetes.
The team analyzed data on 1,685 middle-aged adults over a period of 14 years, obtained from a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded program that has monitored multiple generations for lifestyle and clinical characteristics that contribute to cardiovascular disease. The team found those who drank the highest amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages – a median of six 12 fluid ounce servings a week – had a significantly greater risk of developing prediabetes. Even after accounting for change in weight and other aspects of diet, the relationships between sugar-sweetened beverages and these metabolic risk factors for diabetes persisted.