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Diet Soda Drinkers at Risk of Developing Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

MESA Researcher Dr. Jennifer Nettleton of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center found that people who drink diet soda regularly are at a higher risk of developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome than those who rarely drink diet soda. Her results were published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.

Dr. Nettleton found that regular diet soda drinkers have a 36% greater risk of metabolic syndrome and a 67% greater risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who rarely drink diet soda. She obtained these results by analyzing data from information provided by MESA participants’ in questionnaires, from blood samples and other medical information. Both diabetes and metabolic syndrome put a person at a greater risk of developing heart disease.

When asked why this may be true, Dr. Nettleton said, "I think that persons drinking diet soda are likely eating other foods that increase risk of metabolic disorders. I also think that persons drinking diet soda are likely to overestimate how many calories they are "saving," -- thus, over-consuming other, less healthy foods."

When asked how a person can prevent diabetes, Dr. Nettleton recommended focusing on an overall healthy diet, that centers around whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, and low–fat dairy foods, as well as making sure that energy input (food intake) is balanced by energy output (physical activity). What should you drink instead of diet soda? Water!