A study focusing on nearly 500 children in Massachusetts has revealed that boys who frequently consume sugary drinks and 100% fruit juices during childhood and adolescence might face a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to girls.
This research, which is in its preliminary stages, will be presented at the American Heart Association’s upcoming scientific sessions dedicated to lifestyle and cardiometabolic health.
The study, led by Dr. Soren Harnois-Leblanc, a dietitian and postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, underlines the growing concern over the impact of sugary beverages on children’s long-term health.
Given the high consumption rates among U.S. children—nearly two-thirds drink at least one sugary beverage daily—the findings suggest an urgent need for healthcare professionals to discuss the risks of these drinks as part of dietary advice.
Utilizing data from Project Viva, a long-term research project started in 1999 that tracks the health of women and their children in eastern Massachusetts, the study explored the connection between the consumption of sugary drinks, fruit juices, and fresh fruits and the development of Type 2 diabetes markers in late adolescence.
The researchers observed a significant association in boys, with each daily serving of sugary drinks linked to a 34% increase in insulin resistance, a 5.6 mg/dl increase in fasting glucose levels, and a 0.12% rise in HbA1c levels.
Interestingly, 100% fruit juice consumption was also connected to a slight increase in HbA1c levels in boys, while fresh fruit intake showed no substantial impact on diabetes markers for either gender.
These associations held true even after adjusting for several influential factors, including socioeconomic status and family health history, suggesting a specific vulnerability among boys to the sugar content in these beverages.
While the study did not establish a causal link between sugary drink consumption and Type 2 diabetes, nor did it observe a significant effect in girls, the findings raise important questions about dietary guidelines and the role of gender in nutritional health risks.
Dr. Harnois-Leblanc expressed surprise at the gender-specific results and the lack of a protective effect from whole fruits.
He indicated that further research using more advanced statistical methods is needed to better understand these relationships and to explore potential differences among children of various races and ethnicities.
This study adds to the complex puzzle of diet and cardiometabolic health, highlighting the need for continued investigation into the effects of sugary beverages on children’s health.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting or eliminating sugary drink consumption and focusing on whole fruits to support a healthy diet, emphasizing the importance of dietary choices in preventing Type 2 diabetes and other health issues from an early age.
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