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Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, and fruit juice and incidence of type 2 diabetes: systematic review, meta-analysis, and estimation of population attributable fraction

BMJ 2015; 351 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3576 (Published 21 July 2015) Cite this as: BMJ 2015;351:h3576

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Re: Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, and fruit juice and incidence of type 2 diabetes: systematic review, meta-analysis, and estimation of population attributable fraction

This article is trying to bring a positive association between sugary drinks (artificial/fruit juices) and diabetes mellitus. This is a sweeping statement and assumption. It sends out a message that anybody who drinks these beverages will be at risk of diabetes. A better indication will be to find an association between sugary beverages and obesity. Obesity is the related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Certain segments of the population drink only artificial sweetened beverages. Rather it is a habit with people to take these drinks along with a hamburger or sandwich. The fast food culture could be considered as one of the risk factors for developing obesity or obesity related disorders.

One needs to be cautious in drawing conclusion based on extracting information from existing studies and statistical analyses in such a way that a causal relationship is established between a dietary habit and a disorder.

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 July 2015
Dhastagir Sultan Sheriff
Professor
Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research
Melmaruvathur, Chennai