One fizzy drink a day 'raises risk of prediabetes'
JUST one fizzy drink a day raises the risk of “prediabetes” by almost half, a new study suggests.
Having a sugary drink a day considerably increased the likelihood of having prediabetes
Research shows that sugar-laden beverages are also linked to increased insulin resistance, a risk factor for lifestyle-driven Type 2.
Experiments at Tufts University in Massachusetts, America, found adults who consumed a single can a day stood a 46 per cent higher risk of developing prediabetes - when blood sugar levels rise but not enough to be considered diabetes - compared to those who drank little or none.
If lifestyle changes are not made, individuals with prediabetes are on the trajectory to developing diabetes
Lead researcher Dr Nicola McKeown said: “Our results suggest high sugar-sweetened beverage intake increases the chances of developing early warning signs for Type 2.
“If lifestyle changes are not made, individuals with prediabetes are on the trajectory to developing diabetes.
UK teen diagnosed with diabetes when he was just 13
“Our findings support recommendations to limit sugar-sweetened beverage intake, which can be achieved by replacing sugary beverages with healthier alternatives such as water or unsweetened coffee or tea.”
The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, was based on the health data of 1,685 middle-aged adults over 14 years.
Fizzy drinks are the biggest source of sugar
Those who drank the highest amounts of sugar-sweetened drinks - an average of six 12fl oz servings a week - had a significantly greater risk of developing prediabetes.
The new health warning comes as health bosses are considering a ban on the sale of sugary drinks in hospitals because the UK’s obesity epidemic is now so severe.
Some fruit juice drinks contains the equivalent of five teaspoons
More than half of NHS England’s 1.3 million staff, some of whom give advice on healthy living, are overweight or obese.
Figures show a quarter of all British adults are overweight or obese with related ill health costing the NHS £6.1bn a year.
If action is not taken to curb rising obesity rates nearly 60 per cent of men, 50 per cent of women and 25 per cent of children will be obese by 2050.
More than half of NHS England’s 1.3 million staff giving advice on healthy living is obese
Fizzy drinks are the biggest source of sugar with more than a child’s recommended daily intake found in a single can of cola, which contains nine teaspoons.
Some fruit juice drinks contains the equivalent of five teaspoons with almost half containing at least a child’s daily recommended maximum intake of 0.7oz (19g).