In response to “Consumption of sweet beverages and type 2 diabetes incidence in European adults: results from the EPIC-InterAct,” a study published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:

Statement:

“This study does not prove that regular soft drinks cause type 2 diabetes.  Leading health organizations agree that the known risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, race or ethnicity, increasing age, lack of physical activity and family history of diabetes.”

Additional Background:

On the Study:

Assessment of dietary intake and body weight of the subject participants were taken only once - at baseline in 1991. Therefore, we know nothing about possible changes in diet and weight change during the follow-up period spanning up to 15 years. Further, the data used are not indicative of dietary intake today. This is critically important in light of the fact that obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes.

On Diabetes:

A study published late last year in the Journal of Nutrition which looked at eight European countries found no association between digestible carbohydrate, including sugar, and diabetes risk. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), those at greater risk for Type 2 diabetes include certain racial and ethnic groups (such as Hispanic/Latino, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives), as well as those who: are over age 45; have a family history of diabetes; are overweight; do not exercise regularly; have low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides; have high blood pressure; have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG); have a history of cardiovascular disease; have polycystic ovary syndrome; have other clinical conditions associated with insulin resistance. In addition, women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth, are at greater risk.

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.

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