New research suggests that consuming sweet beverages poses a greater risk of type 2 diabetes compared to eating foods that contain sugar.

The study from Brigham Young University (BYU) in the US found that sugary drinks, such as sodas and fruit juices, are linked to an increased likelihood of developing the disease, whereas no similar connection was found with sugar intake from solid foods.

Dr. Karen Dela Corte, the lead author of the study and a professor of nutrition sciences at BYU, stated that the findings highlight why consuming sugar in the form of beverages like soda and juice is more detrimental to health than ingesting it through food.

Researchers analyzed data from 29 studies involving over half a million individuals across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania to identify which sources of sugar are most closely associated with the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The analysis revealed that a 340ml (12oz) serving of sugary drinks (including soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25%.

Fruit juices, such as pure fruit juice and various juice drinks, exhibited similar effects, even when consumed in moderation. An additional 226ml (8 oz) serving per day raised the risk by 5%.

These risks are relative; for instance, if an individual has a baseline risk of 10% for developing type 2 diabetes, consuming four sodas daily could elevate that risk to around 20%.

Conversely, dietary sugars derived from fruit, table sugar, and general sugar content were not linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and may even be associated with a lower risk in some cases.

As this study is observational, it cannot definitively establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between sugary drinks and type 2 diabetes. It’s possible that individuals who consume more sugary beverages are more likely to develop the condition.

The researchers adjusted their analyses to account for calorie intake, obesity, and other lifestyle factors, allowing them to isolate the impact of sugar itself instead of focusing on overall caloric consumption.

Nevertheless, Dela Corte emphasized that the findings highlight the necessity for more stringent nutritional guidelines regarding liquid sugars, including fruit juices, in relation to health. “Future dietary recommendations may need to differentiate the health impacts of sugar based on its source and form,” she said.

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