Latest news with #healthStudy
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts Urge Caution as Study Links This Popular Drink to 2x the Risk of Diabetes
Experts Urge Caution as Study Links This Popular Drink to 2x the Risk of Diabetes originally appeared on Parade. There's nothing quite like a crisp diet soda on a hot day. It's cool, bubbly and somehow so refreshing. Add some lime and you've got a summertime treat. You can even make a dirty soda by adding a little cream. Yum! But a new study is shining light on diet soda's health effects, and they might not be as harmless as they seem. A new study has found that consuming artificially sweetened beverages, which are commonly marketed as the 'healthier' alternative to sugary drinks, could significantly increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers collected data on more than 4,654 adults in the 30-year-long Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. They assessed the diets of participants at the start of the study, then again after seven and 20 years. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Researchers discovered that individuals who consumed the highest amounts of artificially sweetened drinks, like diet sodas or sugar-free flavored waters, were more than twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who rarely drank them. That's a 129% increase in risk, raising serious questions about what we're really sipping on when we go 'sugar-free.'The study adds fuel to the growing debate around artificial sweeteners. Long considered a safer option for those watching their weight or blood sugar, these sugar substitutes may interfere with insulin sensitivity and disrupt gut health, which are two key factors in developing diabetes. While the beverages contain few or no calories, their long-term metabolic effects may not be so benign. Of course, sugary drinks aren't off the hook either. Regular sodas, sweetened teas and energy drinks remain one of the most well-documented contributors to rising diabetes and obesity rates worldwide. Even 100% fruit juices, which many perceive as healthy, can elevate blood sugar when consumed in excess. This new study challenges the widely accepted belief that diet drinks are a safe swap. And while more research is needed to pinpoint exactly how artificial sweeteners may influence insulin response, the evidence so far suggests that moderation—and even reconsideration—is warranted. So, what should you drink instead? Nutrition experts continue to recommend simple, no-frills hydration. Water remains the gold standard, but unsweetened tea and black coffee are also considered safe and beneficial for most people. Infused waters with fruit or herbs can offer a flavorful twist without the potential downsides of sugar or artificial sweeteners. I'm a daily Coke Zero drinker, but after this study, I may be willing to make a change. I do love iced tea!Experts Urge Caution as Study Links This Popular Drink to 2x the Risk of Diabetes first appeared on Parade on Jun 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
People Who Drink This Popular Beverage Have 2x the Risk of Diabetes, Study Finds
There's something about a crisp soda on a hot summer day. If you're on a weight loss journey or trying to cut out sugar, it can be tempting to turn to diet drinks to curb your craving. It makes sense, especially given that high amounts of daily sugar have been linked to weight gain, low energy, and possibly a higher risk of cancer. But as it turns out, diet sodas may not be the better option we originally thought. In fact, they may raise your risk of diabetes in a similar way to regular soda, according to a new study. In the study, researchers looked at the data of more than 4,654 adults from the 30-year-long Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The participants' diets were assessed at the beginning of the study and then again at the seven and 20-year researchers looked at several factors, but mostly the average intake of diet beverages, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose. The researchers then broke the participants up based on the amount of substances they ingested. They then looked at the participants' risk of diabetes. In this case, they defined diabetes as having a fasting glucose level higher than 126 mg/dL, glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher after a glucose tolerance test, an A1C above 6.5 percent, or the use of diabetes medications at follow-up visits. Researchers found that individuals who consumed the most diet beverages had a 129 percent higher risk of diabetes compared to those who drank the least. "Higher intakes of diet beverages and saccharin were associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes," the study authors said. "These findings highlight the need to evaluate the long-term metabolic effects of [artificial sweeteners] on glucose metabolism." People Who Drink This Popular Beverage Have 2x the Risk of Diabetes, Study Finds first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 26, 2025
Medscape
19-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Do Sugary Drinks Raise Dementia Risk in Older Adults?
Higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) or artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) in later life was not associated with the risk for all-cause dementia, pooled data from six large prospective cohort studies showed. However, more research to examine the impact of such beverages in younger cohorts is warranted. The null associations were consistent across subgroups defined by age, sex, BMI, and presence of chronic disease and the findings were robust in sensitivity analysis, reported the authors, led by Hui Chen, with the School of Public Health, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. The study was published online on June 18 in JAMA Psychiatry. Mixed Data Previous observational studies have suggested possible links between high consumption of sweetened beverages and increased dementia risk, although findings have been inconsistent. To provide more definitive evidence, researchers analyzed long-term data from 10,974 adults enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study (2013), the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (1987-1995), the Chicago Healthy and Aging Project (1993-2012), the Rush Memory and Aging Project (1997-2005), the Framingham Heart Study original cohort (1986-1994), and its offspring cohort (1991-2001). The mean age at baseline was 73 years and 60% were women. SSB and ASB intake were assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires and dementia diagnoses were confirmed through active follow-up and standardized clinical protocols. A total of 2445 participants developed dementia during 116,067 person-years of follow-up. The consumption of SSB and ASB was not associated with increased dementia risk. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) per serving per week was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.01; P = .18) for SSB and 1.00 (95% CI, 0.99-1.01; P = .99) for ASB. Even among those consuming at least one daily serving, no statistically significant association was found (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78-1.03 for SSB and HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.84-1.21 for ASB). The narrow CIs indicate 'relatively high precision,' the investigators noted and 'suggests that the lack of associations is less likely due to inadequate statistical power and more reflective of an absence of association between SSB, ASB, and dementia risk.' Key strengths of the six studies include the long-term follow-up — 10.7 years on average — which is longer than most prior studies, and the inclusion of only older adults, therefore excluding early-onset dementia. The limitation is that the study population had a lower prevalence of daily SSB and ASB intake (roughly 10%) compared with the general US older population, where it's estimated that roughly 20% of individuals aged 55 years or older consume these beverages daily. Summing up, Chen and colleagues said their findings suggest that in late life, consumption of sweetened beverages may not independently increase the risk for dementia. However, given their harmful effects on metabolic health and related chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, the effects of early-life consumption of SSB and ASB on the risk for dementia need to be investigated, they noted.
Medscape
18-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Dementia Rates Show Generational Decrease
Dementia prevalence among older adults was significantly lower among individuals born more recently (1944-1948) compared to those born earlier (1919-1923), with a more pronounced decline in women, a new study conducted in the US, Europe, and England showed. METHODOLOGY: In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 1994-2021; n = 21,069); the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; 2004-2020; n = 32,490); and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA; 2002-2019; n = 8878). The study focused on individuals aged 71 years or older. Validated algorithm and machine learning methods were used to identify individuals with potential dementia. Participants were divided into six age groups and assigned to 22 birth cohorts: Eight from HRS, seven from SHARE, and seven from ELSA. The earliest birth cohort in each dataset served as the reference cohort, and all analyses were adjusted for age and period effects. TAKEAWAY: Individuals born between 1944 and 1948 had a significantly lower risk for dementia than those born between 1919 and 1923 across all regions (point estimates: US, -0.55 vs -0.18; Europe, -1.49 vs -0.24; England, -0.48 vs -0.23). Women had a more pronounced decrease in dementia risk compared to men in the 1944-1948 birth cohort (point estimates: US, -0.55 vs -0.48; Europe, -1.50 vs -1.34; England, -0.76 vs -0.07). Among individuals aged 81-85 years, dementia prevalence varied notably across birth cohorts, with rates in the US declining from 25% (1890-1913 cohort) to 16% (1939-1943 cohort) and in Europe from 30% (1934-1938 cohort) to 15% (1939-1943 cohort). IN PRACTICE: 'The generational decrease in dementia risk has important implications for healthcare planning, long-term care policies, and workforce requirements in aging populations,' the investigators wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Xiaoxue Dou, Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. It was published online on June 2 in JAMA Network Open . LIMITATIONS: Study limitations included incomplete data across survey waves, particularly the omission of SHARE wave 3, and by variable inconsistencies that required algorithm adjustments. Dementia prevalence may have been underestimated due to mortality between waves. Sampling bias was possible, especially owing to the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in ELSA. The retrospective design also prevented the validation of data collection methods. Additionally, the study did not explore the causes underlying the decline in dementia rates. DISCLOSURES: For funding, one investigator reported receiving a PhD scholarship from The University of Queensland. No relevant conflicts of interest were reported.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experiment Reveals What Prolonged Fasting Actually Does to The Human Body
Recommendations to try water-only fasting diets may be filling up your social media feeds, but researchers are warning people to seek medical advice before starting these diets, because of the potential negative impacts. An international team of researchers has published a new study analyzing the effects of water-only fasting diets on 20 people over the course of 10 days (so nothing except water – not even other drinks). The participants lost an average of 7.7 percent of their body weight, but also experienced side effects including headaches, insomnia, and low blood pressure. Overall, fasting seemed to increase inflammation and put more stress on the body, which can then lead to numerous complications with health – especially for those with existing heart or vascular conditions. "Our hypothesis was that prolonged water-fasting would reduce inflammation in the body," says physician scientist Luigi Fontana, from the University of Sydney. "However, we found the opposite was true – that prolonged fasting put stress on the body and increased the number of pro-inflammatory proteins in the blood, potentially increasing the risk of health issues for people with existing heart and vascular conditions." The main way the researchers measured the effects of fasting on the body were through protein levels. A number of proteins linked to inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), became much more abundant in the blood plasma of participants. Other effects were seen as well: the levels of proteins linked to breaking down muscle and bone were reduced, as were the amyloid beta proteins strongly associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. The evidence is still relatively inconclusive, however. These are only initial findings in a small group of people, all of whom where medically classed as overweight. The effects may vary in larger sample sizes, or in people with different body types. There also seems to be very serious downsides to depriving the body of food for an extended period of time – which means medical advice should always be sought before starting a diet like this. "While the acute inflammatory response during prolonged fasting may serve as a transient adaptive mechanism, it raises concerns regarding potential cardiometabolic effects that could persist after refeeding," write the researchers in their published paper. "Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the long-term molecular and clinical implications of prolonged fasting across diverse populations." The team points to previous studies highlighting the potential benefits of intermittent fasting in slowing down cell aging, reducing inflammation (the opposite of what was seen here), and reducing the risk of disease, so it's a complex picture. In recent years, more attention has been given to intermittent fasting than prolonged fasting. It seems that intermittent fasting must be combined with calorie control in order to see any benefit in terms of weight loss, and again there are drawbacks to consider. What seems clear is that there's no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to fasting – and any attempt to lose weight by shutting off the body's supply of food and energy needs to be carefully managed. "People are looking for effective ways to manage their weight and while the effects of water-only fasting can be dramatic, more work needs to be done to understand the impact of these diets on the body over a longer period of time," says Fontana. The research has been published in Molecular Metabolism. Caffeine Has a Weird Effect on Your Brain While You're Asleep Can This Blue Chemical Really Boost Your Brain? Here's What We Know. Confirmed: Breakfast Cereals Are Getting Sweeter And Less Nutritious
