A new study suggests that drinking too many sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Researchers found that people who regularly consumed these drinks had a higher chance of kidney problems over time.
What the Study Found
The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition on November 25, analyzed health data from nearly 192,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a long-term research project that tracks health outcomes. Participants were followed for an average of 10.6 years.
Researchers found that:
- Drinking more than one sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) per day increased the risk of CKD by 45%.
- Drinking more than one artificially sweetened beverage (ASB) per day increased the risk by 52%.
- Natural juices had a different effect—a moderate intake (up to one serving per day) was linked to a slightly lower risk of CKD compared to people who drank no juice at all.
The study also found that part of the increased kidney disease risk from sugary and artificially sweetened drinks was due to metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Why This Matters
Chronic kidney disease affects millions of people worldwide and can lead to serious health problems, including kidney failure and the need for dialysis. While obesity and high blood sugar are already known risk factors, this study adds to growing evidence that certain beverages may contribute to kidney problems.
The research does not prove that sugary or diet drinks directly cause CKD, but the strong link suggests that limiting these beverages may help protect kidney health.
What Should People Do?
The study’s authors recommend reducing the intake of both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks to lower the risk of kidney disease. They also suggest more research is needed to determine how much natural juice is safe to drink.
For now, experts suggest drinking water, unsweetened tea, or natural juices in moderation as healthier alternatives. Making simple changes to beverage choices could be an easy way to support kidney health and overall well-being.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
The research findings can be found in Frontiers in Nutrition.
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