London, UK—New data published in Diabetologia by Imperial College London, UK researchers revealed that drinking one 12-oz sugary soda—which is the equivalent of one can—every day increases the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

The investigators collected data about how much sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages (including soft drinks, juice and nectar) Europeans drink. The numbers were taken from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), which included participants from eight countries. Overall, there were 12,403 type-2 diabetics and a random group of 16,154 individuals studied.

Using these data, the group discovered that daily consumption of sugar-sweetened soda contributed to a 22% increase in diabetes risk, though the number fell to 18% when total energy intake and body mass index (BMI) were taken into consideration. They also concluded artificially sweetened drinks increased one’s risk of developing diabetes, but the association disappeared once participants’ BMIs were accounted for. Juice and nectar consumption were not associated with type-2 diabetes incidence.

The researchers conclude, “This study corroborates the association between increased incidence of type-2 diabetes and high consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks in European adults.”

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, July 2013, (online 5/17/13)