Soft drinks linked to increased diabetes risk

A study suggests that drinking one or more cans of soft drinks per day increases the risk of diabetes.

By Nicole Hamer |

10:55 27 April 2013

Recent research suggests that consuming soft drinks everyday increases the risk of developing cancer by up to 20per cent. The study, which was conducted in Europe, followed more than 12,000 people with type 2 diabetes whose diets were compared with 16,000 controls in European countries.

 

The results suggest that people who said they drank at least one can of soft drinks per day had 22per cent chance of getting diabetes. 

 

Lead researcher Dora Romaguera from Imperial College London, explained to the BBC: “The consumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks increases your risk of diabetes - so for every can of soft drinks that you drink per day, the risk is higher.”

 

Adding:“Given the increase in sweet beverage consumption in Europe, clear messages on its deleterious effect on health should be given to the population.”

 

Meanwhile, Gavin Partington, director general of the drinks industry body the British Soft Drinks Association said that soft drinks are safe to consume as long as they are drank in moderation as part of a balanced diet.