Hot topic - Sugary drinks increase weight gain and diabetes in women
31 August 2004 - written by Bupa's Health Information Team
Sugary drinks increase weight gain and type 2 diabetes in women, a study in the 25 August 2004 edition of the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) has shown.
What did the study involve?
Researchers used questionnaires to find out about the diet, lifestyle habits and health of women aged between 24 and 44.
They looked at any changes in the amount of sugary drinks consumed and whether this was linked with weight gain. There were over 50,000 women in this part of the study.
Researchers also investigated the link between changes in the amount of sugary drinks consumed and type 2 diabetes. There were 90,000 women in this part of the study.
Researchers analysed questionnaires that were completed in 1991, 1995 and 1999.
What did the study show?
The study showed that women who increased the amount of sugary drinks they consumed over the eight year study period gained more weight and were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to women who reduced the amount of sugary drinks consumed, or continued to drink the same.
Which drinks are counted as sugary drinks?
Sugary drinks include sugar-containing (not "diet" varieties) fizzy soft drinks, such as cola and lemonade. Also included are fruit juice based drinks with added sugars, such as fruit cocktails.
How much did sugary drinks affect weight gain?
The study found that women who drank more than one sugary soft drink per day put on more weight than women who drank less than one sugary soft drink per week.
Women who increased their sugary soft drink consumption from low (one per week) to high (at least one per day) gained an average of 4.5kg (10lbs) over a four-year period.
Women who reduced their sugary drink consumption from high (at least one per day) to low (less than one per week) still gained weight, but they gained less -- an average of less than 1kg (2lbs) over a four-year period.
Why do sugary drinks increase weight gain?
Sugary drinks may contribute to weight gain because they are high in calories, but do not satisfy hunger. People who drink sugary drinks therefore continue to eat a normal amount of food, and may end up consuming too many calories each day.
Excess calories are stored as fat, which leads to weight gain.
For more information about weight gain and diet, please see our weight control guide at http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/asp/healthy_living/lifestyle/diet/
How much did sugary drinks affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
The study found that women who had a high consumption of sugary drinks (more than once a day) were almost twice as likely to get type 2 diabetes than those who had a low consumption of sugary drinks (less than one per month).Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body cannot regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. It happens when the body no longer responds properly to the natural hormone insulin, or when production of insulin is too low.
For more information on type 2 diabetes please see our factsheet at http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/diabetes2.html
Why do sugary drinks increase risk of type 2 diabetes?
Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Sugary drinks may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes partly because they increase weight gain.
Another reason is that that sugary drinks contain a high level of simple carbohydrates (sugars). These have a high glycaemic index, which means that they are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Having a diet with a high overall glycaemic index is thought to be a risk factor for diabetes.
For more information about glycaemic index please see the article "Glycaemic index and carbohydrate content of some common foods" at http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/healthy_living/lifestyle/exercise/diet_exercise/gi_table.html
Did pure fruit juice increase risk of diabetes?
No. Women who drank one drink per day of pure fruit juice had the same risk of developing type 2 diabetes as those who drank one fruit juice drink per month.
Why don't pure fruit juices increase the risk of diabetes?
Natural fruit juice contains different sugars, which have a lower glycaemic index. This means they do not have such a rapid effect on the levels of sugar in the blood.
Also, fruit juices contain vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre, which may have beneficial effects and counterbalance potential adverse effects of sugar. ¹
Could the difference be due to other lifestyle factors?
Women who consumed more sugary drinks tended to be less physically active, smoke more and have a higher total intake of calories.
What can you do?
To reduce your risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes, drink water or pure fruit juice instead of sugary soft drinks or juices with added sugar.
Further information
Bupa resources:
- Factsheet: Diabetes (type 2)
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/diabetes2.html - Factsheet: Diet and weight
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Diet_and_weight.html - Article: Glycaemic index and carbohydrate content of some common foods
http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/healthy_living/lifestyle/exercise/diet_exercise/gi_table.html
References
- Schulze et al, JAMA Vol.292 No. 8, August 25, 2004-08-27.
Sugar-sweetened beverages, weight gain, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in young and middle-aged women
