Association between sugar-sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis

Aims/IntroductionMany studies have been carried out to examine the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and the incident of type2 diabetes, but results are mixed. The aim of the present study was to estimate the association between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and the risk of type2 diabetes. Materials and MethodsPubMed, Springer Link and Elsevier databases were searched up to July 2014. Prospective studies published on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and the risk of type2 diabetes were included. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for highest versus lowest category of sugar-sweetened beverages were estimated using a random-effects model. ResultsThe pooled effect estimate of sugar-sweetened beverage intake was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-1.39) for type2 diabetes; stratified by geographic region of the studies, the pooled effect estimates were 1.34 (95% CI 0.74-2.43), 1.30 (95% CI 1.20-1.40), 1.29 (95% CI 1.09-1.53) in Asia, the USA and Europe,respectively; the pooled effect estimates were 1.26 (95% CI 1.16-1.36) with adjusting body mass index and 1.38 (95% CI 1.23-1.56) without adjusting body mass index. ConclusionsOur findings suggested that sugar-sweetened beverage intake was associated with an increased risk of type2 diabetes, and the association was attenuated by adjustment for body mass index. Specifically, the associations were also found to be significantly positive in the USA and Europe.