To help inform patients and their caregivers on diet and diabetes management
High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) was associated with an elevated risk of premature death and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the US. Drinking beverages like coffee, tea, low-fat cow’s milk, and plain water was associated with lower risk of dying prematurely.
The study looked specifically at consumption of different beverages among patients with type 2 diabetes. While many prior studies have linked beverage consumption and health outcomes such as cardiometabolic health, weight change, and mortality, those studies have primarily been among the general population.
Those with type 2 diabetes who regularly consumed sugar-sweetened beverages like soda or lemonade had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and/or dying prematurely than those who regularly consumed beverages like coffee, tea, low-fat cow’s milk, and plain water.
This is among the first large-scale studies to examine associations between beverage consumption, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular disease mortality specifically among people living with type 2 diabetes.
“People living with diabetes should be picky about how they keep themselves hydrated. Switching from sugar-sweetened beverages to healthier beverages will bring health benefits”, said the researchers.
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