Fizzy drinks linked to diabetes

Women who regularly enjoy fizzy drinks are risking their health, scientists said today.

A study found that women who drink a can per day are more likely to be overweight and have type 2 diabetes. The lifestyles of more than 140,000 women were studied over four years. Those who increased their soft drink consumption from less than one a week to one a day or more put on an average of 9.3lb to 10.3lb.

Those who drank fewer fizzy drinks put on between 2.9lb and 3lb, after adjustments were made for lifestyle. Women who had at least one soft drink a day had an 83 per cent increased risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who consumed less than one a month. Type 2 develops when the body cannot make enough insulin or does not work properly.

Dr Matthias Schulze, author of the Boston University report, said "excessive calories and large amounts of rapidly absorbable sugars" in drinks could be to blame for diabetes and obesity.

Phil Casey, of Diabetes UK, said: "Consumption of sugary food and drink does not in itself cause diabetes.

"However, it can lead to weight gain and being overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes."