Two diet drinks a day may raise risk of early death by a quarter

CONSUMING two diet drinks a day could increase the risk of early death by more than a quarter, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.

The global study of more than 450,000 adults in 10 countries, including the UK, found that daily consumption of all types of soft drinks was linked with a higher chance of dying young.

But the rates for those drinking artificially sweetened beverages were significantly higher than those consuming full-sugar versions.

WHO experts today said consumers were better off sticking with water.

The research, which tracked participants for an average of 16 years, is the largest study to examine links between soft-drink consumption and mortality.

It found death rates of those consuming at least two diet drinks a day were 26 per cent higher than among those who had less than one a month.

This group also saw their chance of being killed by cardiovascular disease rise by 52 per cent.

The findings suggest government policies aimed at cutting sugar consumption – such as the sugar tax on fizzy drinks, and “reformulation” of sweet foods – could have disastrous consequences.

Mortality rates were also higher among those regularly drinking sugary drinks. However, they were only 8 per cent more among those drinking two such drinks a day, compared with those having less than one a month. The findings were published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Experts said it was possible that people drinking diet drinks were doing so because they were obese or had diseases such as diabetes, but added that the study had tried to adjust for that.

The study, led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of WHO, was observational, meaning it did not prove that the drinking habits caused the higher death risks.

Researchers also said it was possible that those who were drinking high amounts of diet drinks had been unhealthy and overweight at the start of the research.

But the study found the higher mortality rate persisted when the analysis was limited to those of healthy weight.

Dr Neil Murphy, the lead author, said the findings were “striking” and the third large study this year to find a link between diet drinks and raised mortality rates.

“It would probably be prudent to limit consumption of all soft drinks and replace with a healthier alternative, such as water,” he said.

Gavin Partington, director general at British Soft Drinks Association, said: “Soft drinks are safe to consume as part of a balanced diet.”