Sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes. While not a surprise, a systematic review and meta-analysis involving 17 cohorts representing more than 38,000 cases confirms the need for clinicians to encourage patients to reduce or eliminate consumption of such beverages.

Researchers conducted a random effects meta-analysis and survey analysis. The cohorts analyzed came from 21 published and 1 unpublished study.

Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks was linked to a greater incidence of type 2 diabetes by 18% per serving per day. After adjusting for adiposity, artificially sweetened beverages, and fruit juice consumption, the incidence was 13%.

Based on their findings, investigators estimated that 1.8 million of 20.9 million new cases of type 2 diabetes cases in the US are attributable to consumption of sugar sweetened beverages. The authors also reported a positive association with artificially sweetened drinks and fruit juice.

Citation: Imamura F, O’Connor L, Ye Z, et al. Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, and fruit juice and incidence of type 2 diabetes: systematic review, meta-analysis, and estimation of population attributable fraction. BMJ. 2015; July 21,2015. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h3576.