Not all sugar sources put people at the same level of risk for Type 2 diabetes, meaning sugar type and source may matter far more than previously thought, a new study is claiming.
Seeking to determine if the source of sugar – foods vs. drinks – factors into Type 2 diabetes risk, researchers looked at data for more than 500,000 people on multiple continents. They found that sugary beverages – including soda, sports drinks, energy drinks and fruit juice – “consistently” raised the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Meanwhile, other sugar sources showed no such link and, in some cases, even lower the risk.
After adjusting for lifestyle factors such as body mass index, the researchers found that:
- A 12-ounce daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks and sports/energy drinks increased the risk of Type 2 diabetes 25%.
- An 8-ounce serving of fruit juice per day (examples: 100% fruit juice, nectars and juice drinks) increased the risk 5%.
According to Brigham Young University, which took part in the research, sugar-sweetened beverages increase liver fat and insulin resistance. In contrast, sugar in “nutrient-dense foods” – whole fruits, dairy products and whole grains – doesn’t cause the same issues in the liver.
Whole fruits are a better option than fruit juice, even juices that contain vitamins and nutrients.
“This study underscores the need for even more stringent recommendations for liquid sugars, such as those in sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice, as they appear to harmfully associate with metabolic health,” said lead study author Karen Della Corte, a nutritional science professor at BYU. “Rather than condemning all added sugars, future dietary guidelines might consider the differential effects of sugar based on its source and form.”
The study was published in the journal Advances in Nutrition.
