Type 2 Diabetes: How Do Fructose-Sweetened Drinks Affect Risk?

A range of recent studies has pointed out the potential health risks of sugary drinks. Studies have confirmed that there is a link between sugary drinks and obesity, as well as cautioning that as few as two sugary drinks per week may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes considerably.

Now, a comprehensive review of existing research confirms that fructose-containing drinks can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes more than other foods that contain fructose.

Dr. John Sievenpiper, a researcher in the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada, is the lead author of the study.

In their paper, Dr. Sievenpiper and colleagues quote other studies which have focused on fructose in particular as a threat to cardiometabolic health.

Although some research has suggested that fructose might be a good alternative to sugar, especially for people who are already living with diabetes, more recent studies have pointed out that “fructose could be particularly detrimental to metabolic health, and even more so than other sugars.”

As the researchers explain, fructose is a natural ingredient in several foods, such as fruits, natural fruit juice, honey, and even some vegetables. However, some food manufacturers artificially add the compound to soft drinks, desserts, cereals, and other baked foods.

In the new study, Dr. Sievenpiper and team wanted to see how different “food sources of fructose-containing sugars” affected the glycemic control of both people with diabetes and people who do not have the condition.