Archive · 2 Aug 2025
Diet Soda Daily Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk: Study
Imagine your body as a car and type 2 diabetes as a problem with the engine.
This study looked at what fuels you put in your body.
Researchers found that drinking just one diet soda a day might make it more likely you'll get this engine problem.
Surprisingly, diet soda might be even worse than regular sugary drinks, even though it doesn't have sugar.
The study watched thousands of people for many years, adjusting for things like how much they weigh and how they exercise.
The scientists think artificial sweeteners, which are often in diet drinks, might cause their own health risks.
This means we might need to think about what we drink more carefully to stay healthy.
Study links one diet soda daily to a 38% increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Risk from artificial sweeteners is higher than that from sugary drinks (23% risk).
The study tracked over 36,000 Australian adults for nearly 14 years.
The link between artificially sweetened drinks and diabetes remained even after adjusting for body weight.
Researchers suggest a broader approach to policies reducing intake of non-nutritive beverages.
- Who
- Researchers from Monash University, RMIT University, and the Cancer Council Victoria.
- What
- Study finds a link between diet soda consumption and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
- When
- The study tracked participants for nearly 14 years.
- Where
- Australia, the study was conducted at Monash University and RMIT University.
- Why
- To investigate the health effects of sugar-sweetened and diet drinks on the development of type 2 diabetes.
Common Assumption
Study Findings
Safety of Artificial Sweeteners
Common Assumption
Artificially sweetened beverages are a safer choice than sugary drinks.
Study Findings
Drinking one or more of these beverages each day, whether sweetened with sugar or artificial substitutes, was linked to a significantly higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Study Focus
- Link between diet soda and type 2 diabetes risk
- Diet Soda Risk Increase
- 38%
- Sugary Drinks Risk Increase
- 23%
- Study Duration
- Nearly 14 years
- Participants
- Over 36,000 Australian adults
- Primary Researcher
- Distinguished Professor Barbora de Courten