Once again about the dangers of soda

Sugar-containing beverages are associated with the risk of developing prediabetes

Anna Stavina, XX2 century, based on Tufts University: Regular intake of sugary beverages, but not diet soda, is associated with prediabetes

A new study has once again confirmed the link between metabolic disorders and the consumption of drinks containing sugar. Earlier we have already talked about the dangers of sugary drinks for health. This time, scientists analyzed the medical data of 1,685 American adults and concluded that regular consumption of sugary (but not dietary) drinks is associated with an increased risk of developing prediabetes and insulin resistance.

The probability of prediabetes in American adults who drank about a jar of sugar-containing beverages a day was 46% higher than those who did not drink them at all or rarely drank. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the Center for the Study of Nutrition and Human Aging. Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University), who conducted an epidemiological study of data for a 14-year period. The consumption of sugar-containing beverages in large quantities was also associated with an increase in insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.

No association was found between the use of diet soda and the likelihood of prediabetes or insulin resistance.

The results of the work were published in the Journal of Nutrition (Ma et al., Sugar-Sweetened Beverage but Not Diet Soda Consumption Is Positively Associated with Progression of Insulin Resistance and Diabetes).

"Although our study could not establish a causal relationship, the results show that drinking beverages containing sugar increases the risk of developing symptoms indicating the approach of type 2 diabetes. If a person with prediabetes does not change his lifestyle, he finds himself on the path leading to diabetes," says Nicola McKeown, lead author of the study, a nutrition epidemiologist from the Center for the Study of Nutrition and Human Aging.

"Our observations support recommendations to limit the consumption of beverages containing sugar. Instead, you can drink healthier water or unsweetened tea and coffee," McKeown added. "This simple diet change will bring significant benefits to people at increased risk of diabetes who drink a lot of soft drinks."

In the study, McKeown and her colleagues analyzed 14 years of dynamic data collected from 1,685 middle-aged people. The data were obtained as part of the Framingham Heart Study, a program organized by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. During the Framingham study, the lifestyle and clinical condition of representatives of several generations were studied from the point of view of the relationship of these indicators with heart disease. The participants of the initial study selected for the new work did not suffer from diabetes or prediabetes at the time of the start of the program. The consumption of sugar-containing beverages and soda with artificial sweeteners was evaluated based on data from questionnaires filled out by participants. Sugar-containing beverages meant cola and other types of soda, as well as non-carbonated drinks based on fruit juices, for example, lemonade and fruit punch. Actually fruit juices were not included in this category.

Scientists found that among participants who drank a lot (on average – about 6 cans per week) of sugar-containing beverages, the risk of developing prediabetes was significantly higher than those who consumed few such drinks or did not drink them at all. After 7 years of follow-up, the indicators of insulin resistance in lovers of sugary drinks also turned out to be on average 8% higher than in those who consumed them in smaller quantities. In both cases, the relationship persisted even after the researchers took into account other risk factors: age, gender and body mass index of the participants.

The researchers failed to find a link between the consumption of diet drinks (low-calorie cola and other carbonated drinks with a minimum calorie content) and the risk of developing prediabetes or insulin resistance. However, the results of previous studies on the relationship between diet coke and type 2 diabetes have been mixed, and it is still unclear whether the previously observed trends were the result of direct or indirect factors. In order to determine the long-term consequences of the use of dietary drinks, according to the authors of the work, additional research is needed. The scientists also noted that even taking into account multiple risk factors, they could not completely get rid of some of the distortions caused by the observational nature of the study. The participants whose data were analyzed in the course of the work were mainly representatives of the Caucasian race. Middle-aged people predominated among the participants, there were more women than men. The average values of body mass index and waist volume were relatively low. All these circumstances may limit the scope of the data obtained.

"Nevertheless, our results are consistent with the results of many other studies and clinical trials that claim that reducing sugar intake is beneficial. We call for the search for healthier alternatives," added Jiantao Ma, co–author of the study, an employee of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  02.12.2016