Diet Soda and Diabetes: Drink water instead

Consumption of sugar-sweetened soda is linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, but what about Diet soda and other artificially sweetened beverages?  New research is connecting obesity and diabetes to artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners appear to alter the gut flora and cause glucose intolerance and weight gain.  Research is now revealing that people who eat more artificial sweeteners tend to be heavier, have bigger waistlines and have higher fasting blood sugar levels. 

In my diabetes education practice, I meet many people who are big soda drinkers.  Many patients have a 3-4+ bottle a day habit they are encouraged to give up immediately.  Switching to diet soda seemed to be the perfect solution for many of these folks, but the new research contradicts this idea.  Many patients ask me “what can I drink if I cannot drink soda?”  The simple answer of course is water, but many patients tell me flat out, that is not something they are willing to do. 

Most big soda drinkers that I have met through my diabetes education practice, are willing to switch to artificially sweetened beverages.  According to the new research on artificial sweeteners, this can actually increase their weight and make their diabetes worse.  I plan on sharing the new information on artificial sweeteners and will strongly encourage all my diabetes education patients: DRINK WATER INSTEAD. 


By Christine Mealey RN, MSN, CDE