Drinking artificially sweetened soft drinks may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than a third, a new study from Monash University in Melbourne has warned.

Researchers found that consuming just one artificially sweetened soft drink per day raises the risk of type 2 diabetes by 38%. While such beverages have often been promoted as healthier alternatives to sugar-sweetened drinks, the findings challenge that assumption.

Around 1.3 million Australians currently live with type 2 diabetes, most cases being closely linked to poor diet and lifestyle.

Though the connection between sugar-sweetened drinks and diabetes is typically explained through obesity, the study revealed that the link between artificial sweeteners and diabetes persisted even after accounting for body weight. This suggests that artificial sweeteners may directly affect metabolism.

Professor Barbora de Courten, one of the lead researchers, said the findings should prompt both consumers and policymakers to reconsider their approach to sweetened beverages.

“Artificial sweeteners are often recommended to people at risk of diabetes as a healthier alternative, but our results suggest they may pose their own health risks,” she said.

She added that while measures such as sugary drink taxes are important, there should also be greater scrutiny of artificially sweetened options.