Two drinks to diabetes

JUST two soft drinks a week can raise a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers warn.

Sugary drinks such as cola and lemonade are known to lead to diabetes by causing a spike in blood sugar levels.

A review of 36 studies has now found that having these drinks twice a week could put someone in greater danger of the condition affecting about 500,000 people in Australia.

Two drinks in a week, according to one study, raises the risk of diabetes by 42 per cent.

Approximately one million people in Australia have diabetes. FROM run down and dowdy to fit for royalty, this Gold Coast home has undergone a magical transformation.

Chris and Sandy Hawes are the masterminds behind the striking house at Broadbeach Waters that’s fresh to the market at $2.295 million.

The pair, who run Hawes Construction, have a knack of thinking outside the box and their latest build is no different.

“We don’t stick to the tra- ditional Gold Coast home as such – we like to build what we want but we do have in mind that we may resell and so we like to think about what the majority of people would want,” Mrs Hawes said.

“We’re always going through housing magazines, when we travel we see houses and hotels and often pick out different things like certain bathrooms.

“My husband likes contemporary designs, straight lines and symmetrical designs whereas I’m a bit more flexible. This house was more what he wanted but we are good at compromising.”

The couple bought the 771sq m block at 20 Park Ave for $675,000 in 2013 with a grand plan to knock down the existing house.

They enlisted Jayson Pate of Jayson Pate Design and got to work, spending 10 months designing and building the four-bedroom residence.

A media room, study, butler’s pantry, alfresco terrace with integrated barbecue kitchen, deck with arbour roof and centrepiece pool are among the luxury features.

Accoya wood was used to create the timber screening on the second level that contributes to the floating look.

Mrs Hawes said the house was designed for easy living.

“It’s designed for a family and to have the kids’ friends come around and hang out,” she said. “I really like the pool area and the ‘wow factor’ when you first walk in and open the door.”

Nick Jamieson of Belle Maison Realty Mermaid Beach is marketing the property.