Artificially-sweetened drinks may increase risk of diabetes experts say

Artificially-sweetened drinks have been found to increase the risk of diabetes by almost 40%, according to a new study. Experts say it's a wake-up call for public health policy.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Zero sugar might not mean zero risk. According to researchers
at Monash University, it's not the healthier option. The study
tract more than thirty six thousand people over fourteen years,
finding just one can of artificially sweet and soft drink
a day increase the risk of type two diabetes by
thirty eight percent.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
It surprises that the risk was so high we should
at least treat them the same as sweetened beverages.

Speaker 1 (00:32):
The Peak Body representing Australians with diabetes say it's a
wake up call.

Speaker 3 (00:37):
Every eight minutes an additional person is diagnosed with type
two diabetes, and so this is a really serious issue
that's reached epidemic levels.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
There are already calls to introduce attax on sugary drinks.
Researchers now want that to include artificially sweetened ones as well,
making it more expensive to buy any kind of soft drink.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
We need to urgently do something, and sugar tag seems
like an old brainer.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
So what should the public drink? Water the clear choice.
Jennifer Beschwarti seven News