PROVO, Utah (KTVX) — Drinking your sugar may be worse for you than previously thought.
This conclusion comes from a study recently performed by researchers at Brigham Young University in partnership with multiple German research institutions.
The research, which examined information from over 500,000 individuals worldwide, indicated that sugar intake from beverages like sodas and juices was consistently related to an increased chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, sugar obtained from other sources showed no such correlation and, in some instances, was linked to a reduced diabetes risk.
Karen Della Corte, a BYU nutrition science professor and the study’s lead author, stated that this is the first study to establish clear “dose-response” relationships between various sugar sources and the risks of Type 2 diabetes.
“It highlights why drinking your sugar, whether from soda or juice, is more problematic for health than eating it,” said Della Corte.
The study suggests the more problematic nature of sugary drinks may come down to differing metabolic effects. Researchers said sugar-sweetened drinks contain isolated sugars that lead to a higher glycemic impact that overwhelm and disrupt metabolism in the liver. This, in turn, increases liver fat and insulin resistance, the study says.
Meanwhile, the sugars that can be found in fruits, dairy products, or whole grains do not overload the liver. The beneficial nutrients, such as fiber, fats, and proteins, help slow the blood glucose responses that dietary sugars bring.
“This study underscores the need for even more stringent recommendations for liquid sugars such as those in sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice, as they appear to harmfully associate with metabolic health,” Della Corte said. “Rather than condemning all added sugars, future dietary guidelines might consider the differential effects of sugar based on its source and form.”
The study has been published in the Advances in Nutrition journal.
