Sugary drinks are a danger for diabetes

The US has passed a law taxing soft drinks and it’s an even more sensible move than it first seemed. New research shows that sugary drinks are worse for Type 2 diabetes than sugary food.

The sugar fructose is the culprit. Products with “added” fructose stuff empty energy into our diet – raising blood sugar levels, researchers found.

Fructose is the natural sugar found in fruit and in its natural form it’s exempt from harmful effects.

Canadian researchers at Toronto University have found no risk associated with food and drinks that contain naturally occurring fructose – such as whole fruits, vegetables, natural fruit juices and honey.

However, soft drinks are different: they’re made with ingredients that contain a supercharged form of fructose, sending your blood sugar levels soaring.

Previously, it was unclear whether avoiding foods where sugars occur naturally could be beneficial. Now we know there’s no need to avoid those foods. The advice is simply to reduce the amount of foods such as soft drinks, breakfast cereals, baked goods, sweets and desserts where harmful sugars are added.

The Canadian researchers compiled results from 155 studies that looked into how different foods containing fructose affect blood glucose levels in people with and without diabetes. The team found that most foods containing fructose don’t have a harmful effect on blood glucose levels as long as they don’t supply excess calories.

Fruit and pure fruit juice may even have beneficial effects on blood glucose and insulin control – especially in people with diabetes. The researchers suggest the higher fibre content of fruit may help explain the improvements in blood glucose levels as fibre slows down the release of sugars in the bowel. But foods that add excess “nutrient poor” energy to the diet, especially sweetened drinks, seem to have the most harmful effects.

Study lead author Dr John Sievenpiper said: “These findings might help guide recommendations on important food sources of fructose in the prevention of diabetes.

“Until more information is available, public health professionals should be aware that harmful effects of fructose sugars on blood glucose seem to be down to foods with added fructose.”

The take-home message is, and it’s particularly important for people who have Type 2 diabetes or who are prediabetic, to watch out for added sugars in food, especially ready prepared meals, cakes, biscuits, soft drinks and cereals. Read labels. Reject anything with fructose in it.

Fructose puts empty energy into our diet