Sugary Drinks Can Raise Diabetes Risk By 22 Percent, Study Says

The health effects linked to the consumption of sugary drinks and soda just keep piling up — and now, the drinks are being linked to a much higher risk of diabetes. A new study says that daily consumption of soda and sugary drinks can raise your risk of diabetes by 22 percent. 

The European study, reports Reuters, analyzed more than 35,000 people in eight countries, including included more than 12,000 type 2 diabetics; when the results were adjusted for "confounding factors" and body mass index, one single serving of sugary drinks per day upped the risk of diabetes by 18 percent. What's most notable about the study, the researchers said, is that it shows the relationship between sugary drinks and diabetes is more complex than just body weight. "You may remain thin and still have a higher risk of developing diabetes," said lead researcher Dora Romaguera to Bloomberg.

The results of the study were similar to studies by American researchers, as well. And of course, diet sodas still can have an effect on the risk of diabetes, as another expert notes to the Telegraph. Said Patrick Wolfe, professor of statistics at University College London, who was not involved in the study, to the Telegraph, "This suggests that diet soft drinks may not trigger the same mechanisms as sugary soft drinks, but that switching to diet soft drinks isn't a panacea if you are not also watching your weight." So you know, that cup of tea or coffee is looking pretty good right about now.