One Diet Cola a day increases diabetes risk by 38%, new study finds

Choosing diet cola over regular soda to cut calories? A new Australian study suggests that choice might be riskier than you think, reports the New York Post.

Researchers from Monash University, RMIT University, and Cancer Council Victoria found that consuming just one artificially sweetened beverage per day raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 38%. In comparison, drinking a regular sugary soda increases the risk by 23%.

“This challenges the common belief that artificially sweetened drinks are the safer option,” said Professor Barbora de Courten, a diabetes and vascular medicine expert and lead author of the study.

The research followed over 36,000 Australians aged 40 to 69 for nearly 14 years. Even after accounting for factors like weight, physical activity, diet, and medical history, the link between diet drinks and diabetes remained statistically significant.

The findings suggest that artificial sweeteners may directly affect metabolism, not just indirectly through weight gain.

“We’ve long thought that removing sugar is the key, but perhaps it’s time to reconsider policies on artificial sweeteners,” added Professor de Courten.