7
C M C S c o n n e c t i o n s 3 r d q u a r t e r 2 0 1 5
by Nathan Huber
J
u s t r e c e n t l y, t h e B r i t i s h
Medical Journal published an
article proving for the first
time that sugary drinks have a direct
influence on the risk of developing
Type 2 diabetes. According to experts
a t d i a b e t e s . o r g , " D i a b e t e s i s a
problem with your body that causes
blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise
higher than normal. If you have
Type 2 diabetes your body does not
use insulin properly. This is called
insulin resistance. At first, your
pancreas makes extra insulin to make
up for it. But, over time it isn't able
to keep up and can't make enough
insulin to keep your blood glucose at
normal levels."
Type 2 diabetes is a life altering
disease, and cannot typically be
reversed once a patient has it. Until
recently obesity was thought to be
the main cause. The Cambridge
s t u d y u s e d d a t a f r o m 3 8 , 2 5 0
patients in 17 previous studies,
and found drinking just one sugary
beverage per day increases the
chances of developing Type 2 diabetes
by as much as 18%. Researchers
attempted to take into account the
obesity factor by reexamining the
data and removing those who were
obese from the data. Astoundingly,
those who drank sugary drinks every
day were still 13% more likely to
develop Type 2 diabetes!
While the research does seem
very convincing, there are still some
criticisms of this new information.
There are a few academics who argue
that yes, while the research is valid, it
still only proves there is a statistical
link and not a cause and effect
relationship. Meaning, sugary drinks
increase the chances of developing
Ty p e 2 d i a b e t e s , b u t t h e r e 's n o
guarantee. It should also be noted
that obesity, lack of exercise, and
unhealthy diets are still the main risk
factors for developing Type 2.
H e r e a r e s o m e t i p s
f o r av o i d i n g o r
m a n a g i n g d i a b e t e s :
• Get your blood sugar levels
tested regularly
• Eat healthier: Lots of fruits,
vegetables, and Omega 3 fats
• Watch your portion sizes (You
don't NEED a second slice!)
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a
day, 5 times a week
• Smoking can double your risk of
diabetes, so quit now!
• Regular health checkups can go a
long way in prevention
S o u r c e s :
• DailyMail.co.uk/news/
article-3170306/
Sugary-drinks-linked-8-000-
Type-2-diabetes-cases-year
• Diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/
type-2/?loc=util-header_type2
• TheHealthSite.com/
diseases-conditions/tips-to-
prevent-diabetes-sh114/
• British Medical Journal: bmj.com
Diabetes Risk Increased
by
18% with One Sugary
Drink per Day
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