Sweet Drinks May Make Sour Future

08/20/08 Prevention

If you have a taste for sweetened drinks and juices, then you may be pushing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The rate of type 2 diabetes increased with the number of soft drinks consumed daily among 43,000 African American who participated in a recent study. Researchers also noted the greatest increase in weight gain was directly correlated to the amount of sugar sweetened drink the women consumed daily.

There is a difference between pure fruit juice and sweetened juice. Pure orange and apple juices have no additives. Other juices are sweetened with juice only making up perhaps 20 percent of the product.

The findings published in the July 28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, point to high energy and low benefit corn syrup as a major factor. It is used as a less expensive alternative to cane sugar (which isn’t a great nutritional supplement either) and provides a longer shelf life. It also accounts for about 10 percent of the average daily American energy intake.

While we know refined carbohydrates contribute to increased type 2 diabetes risk, it is unclear whether that risk remains if the individual’s weight remains stable.

The implications of this study are probably applicable to every man and woman. If you already need an extra notch on your belt or are overweight, you need to avoid sweetened beverages; especially if they are laden with corn syrup. Don’t be cavalier about maintaining your weight—your life may depend on it.

Corie Richter is a nurse and physician's assistant who started her career as a health educator. The survivor of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and partially successful quadruple bypass surgery, she did not let her health challenges hamper her. Neither the limitations of spinal surgery nor of diabetes have deterred her from a mission of service. She now encourages others through writing and speaking engagements to master their disabilities through education and a proactive attitude.