Drinking Artificially Sweetened Soft Drinks Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk
30 Sep 2025
Australian researchers are urging action after a new study found that people who drink artificially sweetened soft drinks are at a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The study showed that consuming just one can of artificially sweetened soft drink per day can increase a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes by 38%. This is higher than the 23% increased risk observed for those who drink sugar-sweetened beverages daily.
Professor Barbora de Courten, the lead author of the study, said the findings challenge the common belief that artificially sweetened drinks are a safer option. “Artificial sweeteners are often recommended as a healthier alternative for people at risk of diabetes, but our results suggest they may carry their own health risks,” she said.
Professor de Courten added that public health measures such as sugary drink taxes are important, but future policies should also address artificially sweetened drinks. “These drinks are often marketed as better for you, yet may still pose health risks. A broader approach is needed to reduce intake of all non-nutritive beverages,” she said.
The research analysed data from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, which included 36,608 participants aged 40–69 years. Participants reported their consumption of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, and researchers assessed the link with the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Soft drink consumption remains high across Australia. About 6.4% of adults consume sugar-sweetened drinks daily, and 7.1% consume artificially sweetened drinks daily. Among children aged 14–17 years, around half reported drinking either sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages regularly.
Public support for measures to reduce sugary drink consumption is growing. A recent survey found that 83% of Australians support better labelling to warn of added sugars, around 75% support ending the marketing of sugary drinks to children, and 56% support a health levy on sugary drinks.
Source: Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, Professor Barbora de Courten
