Sweetened Soda Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk
A large Australian study found artificially sweetened soda drinkers faced higher type 2 diabetes risk over nearly 14 years.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Diabetes
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A study of 36,608 adults aged 40 to 69 found that drinking at least one artificially sweetened soda daily was associated with a 38% higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Diabetes & Metabolism in 2025, followed participants for an average of 13.9 years.
Why it matters
The findings add to a debate over whether artificial sweeteners offer a safe alternative to sugar for people managing weight or blood sugar. Because the research is observational, it highlights an association rather than proof that the drinks cause diabetes.
The observational cohort tracked 36,608 adults over an average of 13.9 years, with 1,782 developing diabetes; daily artificially sweetened soda drinkers showed a 38% higher risk compared with those drinking one less than once a month. The study cannot determine which specific sweetener ingredients are responsible or whether the link is causal.
The players
Diabetes & Metabolism
A peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes research on diabetes, metabolic disease and related clinical science.
The details
Researchers accounted for physical activity, diet quality and body measurements. Sugary soda showed a 23% higher risk, but that link was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, while the artificially sweetened drink association remained significant.
Timeline
2025: Study published in the journal Diabetes & Metabolism.
Participants were followed for an average of 13.9 years.
Health Landscape
The findings add to a body of research questioning whether artificial sweeteners are a metabolically neutral substitute for sugar. Researchers have debated whether these compounds affect gut bacteria or glucose processing, though this study does not establish a mechanism.
Readers who drink diet soda daily may want to discuss their intake with a clinician, especially if they have risk factors for diabetes. The study does not show that switching drinks will change individual risk.
The takeaway
Daily habits matter, but a single observational study cannot settle whether artificially sweetened drinks themselves raise diabetes risk. Keeping overall diet, activity and body measurements in view remains the most reliable approach.
Further reading
Explore more on Diabetes to see how diet and metabolic research connect to blood sugar risk.
Source note: This article includes information reported by As.
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