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The Irish Sun
31-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Just ONE can of your favourite drink ‘raises risk of silent killer by 40%'
KNOCKING back just one of your favourite drinks might be enough to raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 40 per cent, a new study has revealed. Millions of Brits drink 1 Just one diet fizzy drink could up your risk of type 2 diabetes by 40 per cent Credit: Getty But Australian scientists at Monash University say it's wrong to think artificial sweeteners in drinks are a totally safe swap for sugar. Their research looked specifically at sweetened soft drinks - both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened - and found both types raise the risk of developing Artificially sweetened drinks, often marketed as 'diet,' carried the highest risk, with even people at a healthy weight facing a significant chance of developing diabetes from guzzling them. In recent years, natural alternative sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit have become popular, replacing older artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin. Read more diabetes Previous research, published this year in the Journal of Applied Physiology earlier this year linked a common - and natural - sugar substitute called Erythritol (E968 ) to a higher risk of vascular health issues, including stroke . The new study, published in Diabetes and Metabolism, did not differentiate between the different types of artificial sweeteners used. Scientists followed more than 36,000 Australian adults aged 40–69 for nearly 14 years, monitoring how often they drank sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages and tracking new cases of type 2 diabetes. They found that artificially sweetened soft drinks raised people's risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 38 per cent. Most read in Health That's higher than the 23 per cent increased risk linked to sugary drinks. Diabetes symptoms and the signs of all types of diabetes Professor Barbora de Courten, one of the study authors, said the findings challenge the common belief that diet drinks are a safer option. 'Artificial sweeteners are often recommended as a healthier choice, but our results suggest they may carry their own health risks,' she explained. Unlike sugary drinks, where the risk can mostly be linked to This suggests artificially sweetened drinks might directly affect how the body handles sugar. The researchers say these findings should influence public health policies, urging caution around all sweetened drinks - not just sugary ones. 'We support measures like sugary drink taxes, but our study shows we also need to pay attention to artificially sweetened options," Professor de Courten added. "These are often marketed as better for you; yet may carry their own risks. Future policies should take a broader approach to reducing intake of all non-nutritive beverages.' Low or no calorie sweeteners are used instead of sugar to sweeten some foods and drinks. These substances are found in products such as drinks, desserts, ready meals and cakes. The 3 feared risks of artificial sweeteners They could increase risk of heart attack and stroke Research published earlier this year suggests aspartame, a common sugar substitute, may negatively impact vascular health. It was shown to trigger insulin spikes in mice, which can lead to atherosclerosis - plaque buildup in arteries - and increased inflammation. This could potentially raise the risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers suggested. Researchers fed mice daily doses of food containing 0.15 per cent aspartame for 12 weeks - the equivalent of consuming about three cans of diet soda each day for humans Aspartame-fed mice developed larger and more fatty plaques in their arteries compared to mice who weren't given sweeteners. When the research team analysed the mice's blood, they found a "surge" in insulin levels after aspartame entered their system. They said aspartame - which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar - seemed to "trick" the receptors into releasing more insulin. The mice's elevated insulin levels appeared to fuel the growth of fatty plaques in their arteries, researchers added. But scientists not involved in the study said you don't need to pour out your diet soda just yet - as we don't yet know whether the artificial sweetener has the same effect on humans. They may increase sugary cravings Some studies link artificial sweeteners to increased appetite and cravings for sugary food. One - Researcher Professor Kathleen Page said: 'Drinking artificially sweetened drinks may trick the brain into feeling hungry, which may in turn result in more calories being consumed.' However, Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said the study should be 'treated with caution' because it was based on a 'tiny' number of participants. Other studies suggested that artificial sweeteners can alter people's gut microbiome and cause weight gain. But it should be noted that lots of research supports that sugar substitutes can help with weight loss and maintenance. They may be linked to type 2 diabetes People who regularly consume artificial sweeteners may be more at risk of developing The additives may stop the body from being able to regulate blood sugar levels healthily, researchers from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital suggested. Prior studies have discovered that the sweeteners saccharin and sucralose can increase the blood sugar levels of healthy people. Sweeteners approved for use in the UK include acesulfame K, aspartame, erythritol, saccharin, sorbitol, steviol glycosides, sucralose and xylitol. Some squash drinks contain sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame K. Scientific evidence has linked sugar consumption to a range of health conditions including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, switching to products with sweeteners has been argued to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight. NHS advice says sweeteners are safe and can help keep blood sugars low for diabetics and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Type 2 diabetes affects about 1.3 million people in Australia, and over 4.7 million people in the UK - numbers that continue to rise each year. How to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes According to Diabetes UK, there are a few diet tweaks you can make to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes: Choose drinks without added sugar - skip out the sugar in your tea and coffee and stay away from fizzy and energy drinks Eat whole grains such as brown rice, wholewheat pasta, wholemeal flour, wholegrain bread and oats instead of refined carbs Cut down on red and processed meat like bacon, ham, sausages, pork, beef and lamb Eat plenty of fruit and veg - apples, grapes, berries, and green leafy veg such as spinach, kale, watercress, and rocket have been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes Have unsweetened yoghurt and cheese Cut down on booze - and have a few days a week with none at all Have healthy snacks like unsweetened yoghurt, unsalted nuts, seeds and fruit and veg Eat healthy fats included in nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil Cut down on salt Get your vitamins and minerals from food instead of tablets
Scottish Sun
31-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Just ONE can of your favourite drink ‘raises risk of silent killer by 40%'
'Artificial sweeteners are often recommended as a healthier choice, but our results suggest they may carry their own health risks,' one scientist explained. HARD TO SWALLOW Just ONE can of your favourite drink 'raises risk of silent killer by 40%' KNOCKING back just one of your favourite drinks might be enough to raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 40 per cent, a new study has revealed. Millions of Brits drink sugar-free sweetened drinks under the belief they are healthier because they have zero calories. 1 Just one diet fizzy drink could up your risk of type 2 diabetes by 40 per cent Credit: Getty But Australian scientists at Monash University say it's wrong to think artificial sweeteners in drinks are a totally safe swap for sugar. Their research looked specifically at sweetened soft drinks - both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened - and found both types raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Artificially sweetened drinks, often marketed as 'diet,' carried the highest risk, with even people at a healthy weight facing a significant chance of developing diabetes from guzzling them. In recent years, natural alternative sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit have become popular, replacing older artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin. Previous research, published this year in the Journal of Applied Physiology earlier this year linked a common - and natural - sugar substitute called Erythritol (E968) to a higher risk of vascular health issues, including stroke. The new study, published in Diabetes and Metabolism, did not differentiate between the different types of artificial sweeteners used. Scientists followed more than 36,000 Australian adults aged 40–69 for nearly 14 years, monitoring how often they drank sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages and tracking new cases of type 2 diabetes. They found that artificially sweetened soft drinks raised people's risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 38 per cent. That's higher than the 23 per cent increased risk linked to sugary drinks. Diabetes symptoms and the signs of all types of diabetes Professor Barbora de Courten, one of the study authors, said the findings challenge the common belief that diet drinks are a safer option. 'Artificial sweeteners are often recommended as a healthier choice, but our results suggest they may carry their own health risks,' she explained. Unlike sugary drinks, where the risk can mostly be linked to weight gain, the connection between diet drinks and diabetes remained strong even after adjusting for body weight. This suggests artificially sweetened drinks might directly affect how the body handles sugar. The researchers say these findings should influence public health policies, urging caution around all sweetened drinks - not just sugary ones. 'We support measures like sugary drink taxes, but our study shows we also need to pay attention to artificially sweetened options," Professor de Courten added. "These are often marketed as better for you; yet may carry their own risks. Future policies should take a broader approach to reducing intake of all non-nutritive beverages.' Low or no calorie sweeteners are used instead of sugar to sweeten some foods and drinks. These substances are found in products such as drinks, desserts, ready meals and cakes. The 3 feared risks of artificial sweeteners They could increase risk of heart attack and stroke Research published earlier this year suggests aspartame, a common sugar substitute, may negatively impact vascular health. It was shown to trigger insulin spikes in mice, which can lead to atherosclerosis - plaque buildup in arteries - and increased inflammation. This could potentially raise the risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers suggested. Researchers fed mice daily doses of food containing 0.15 per cent aspartame for 12 weeks - the equivalent of consuming about three cans of diet soda each day for humans Aspartame-fed mice developed larger and more fatty plaques in their arteries compared to mice who weren't given sweeteners. When the research team analysed the mice's blood, they found a "surge" in insulin levels after aspartame entered their system. They said aspartame - which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar - seemed to "trick" the receptors into releasing more insulin. The mice's elevated insulin levels appeared to fuel the growth of fatty plaques in their arteries, researchers added. But scientists not involved in the study said you don't need to pour out your diet soda just yet - as we don't yet know whether the artificial sweetener has the same effect on humans. They may increase sugary cravings Some studies link artificial sweeteners to increased appetite and cravings for sugary food. One - published in 2021 - found that sucralose made people feel hungrier. Researcher Professor Kathleen Page said: 'Drinking artificially sweetened drinks may trick the brain into feeling hungry, which may in turn result in more calories being consumed.' However, Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said the study should be 'treated with caution' because it was based on a 'tiny' number of participants. Other studies suggested that artificial sweeteners can alter people's gut microbiome and cause weight gain. But it should be noted that lots of research supports that sugar substitutes can help with weight loss and maintenance. They may be linked to type 2 diabetes People who regularly consume artificial sweeteners may be more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a lower intake, a study published in 2023 showed. The additives may stop the body from being able to regulate blood sugar levels healthily, researchers from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital suggested. Prior studies have discovered that the sweeteners saccharin and sucralose can increase the blood sugar levels of healthy people. Sweeteners approved for use in the UK include acesulfame K, aspartame, erythritol, saccharin, sorbitol, steviol glycosides, sucralose and xylitol. Some squash drinks contain sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame K. Scientific evidence has linked sugar consumption to a range of health conditions including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, switching to products with sweeteners has been argued to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight. NHS advice says sweeteners are safe and can help keep blood sugars low for diabetics and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Type 2 diabetes affects about 1.3 million people in Australia, and over 4.7 million people in the UK - numbers that continue to rise each year.
National Geographic
26-06-2025
- Sport
- National Geographic
Faith Kipyegon almost breaks 4 minutes in the mile
Kipyegon was the woman best positioned to deliver, though. She's a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500M and the owner of four world championships. When she set the world mile mark in 2023, she obliterated the previous record by more than four seconds. She hoped the run in Paris would 'cement her legacy' by creating a moment that transcended sport, she told me earlier this year when I visited her training camp in the highlands of Kenya. And she wanted to teach her 7-year-old daughter to think without limits, and 'motivate young girls and young women around the world to push themselves in everything they do,' she said. The exhibition run was put on by Nike, Kipyegon's sponsor, and the brand pulled out all the stops to help. She ran in bespoke racing spikes that the company made expressly for the attempt, each shoe weighing the equivalent of a pack of playing cards. Designers crafted a textured suit to reduce aerodynamic drag, not unlike how dimples help a golf ball cut through the air. And Nike researchers contrived a complex arrangement of 11 pacers to shield her from the wind and reduce aerodynamic drag as she ran at 15 miles an hour. Strict regulations governing everything from shoes to pacers meant that the run wasn't eligible for official world records. Though she didn't manage to dip under four minutes, this remarkable performance isn't a failure. A recent white paper in the Journal of Applied Physiology projected that a woman might not run a mile under four minutes until as late as 2065. One reason is that the history of women's middle- and longer-distance running is brief; as recently as the 1960s it was commonly thought that the exertion required to compete in such events was dangerous for women, and bad for reproduction. As a result, women have only specialized in the mile for 50 years. Training for the mile, wrote the authors, also requires 'great finesse' to delicately balance the challenge of running an event that demands both extreme speed and also endurance—a balance that sports science still doesn't completely grasp, the authors wrote.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
How This 77-Year-Old Woman Has A Body As Fit As That Of A 25-Year-Old
A 77-year-old woman has secured the first position in the 75-79 age group at the 2025 Boston Marathon. Jeannie Rice completed the marathon, her 134th, in 4 hours, 27 minutes, and 17 seconds. Ms Rice's aerobic fitness and endurance capacity are on the same level as a 25-year-old woman, according to a report published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. What her body tells us about ageing is that age doesn't have to limit physical abilities. Asked how she managed to train consistently over 30 years, she said, "I love running and being an example for younger athletes," adding, "I feel as young as when I was 50, and I'd like to be doing this well into my 80s. That's my personal goal." She added that she has a rich social life and enjoys going out to dance. She said, "A lot of runners are so serious they don't do anything socially. But I like to have fun. I'm the last one to go home." Ms Rice is considered a "medical marvel." She has often turned heads not only for breaking world women's records in her age group but also for outperforming the fastest men in that category. Not only this, she has the highest VO2max (maximum oxygen uptake), a measure of aerobic fitness, ever recorded for women over 75. High VO2max was probably the primary physiological characteristic explaining her success across an array of running distances, the study said. Ms Rice, for her age, showed a very high cardiorespiratory fitness, as indicated by a VO2max of 47.9 mLkg-1min-1, the study added. Untrained women of this age group typically have a VO2max of 17.5-27.4 mL kg 1 min-1, it added. Bas Van Hooren, an assistant professor of nutrition and movement sciences at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, said that researchers are examining Ms Rice to learn how people can maintain their fitness as they age, despite lower levels of physical activity frequently observed in the elderly. Mr Hoorens said that researchers study Ms Rice's body fat, muscle structure, and how well her body uses energy while running at her marathon pace. He said Ms Rice proves it's never too late to start exercising.
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Jeannie Rice, 77, is running the Boston Marathon and shattering records. What's her secret?
Jeannie Rice, 77, is running the Boston Marathon and shattering records. What's her secret? Boston Marathon hopeful Jeannie Rice has turned heads – from fellow athletes and health enthusiasts to researchers – for her superior physical health in her late 70s. Rice, 77, is a medical marvel. She's a world record-holder in various distances for people her age (including a marathon), with the highest VO2 max ever recorded in women over 75 years old and in line with younger distance runners that are the best in the world, according to a report published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Is this doable for everyone? Not exactly. Genetics and other health factors play a role in someone's abilities to achieve peak physical health. But just because not everyone can achieve Rice's level of fitness doesn't mean they can't amp up their diet and exercise routine. A group of scientists recently told USA TODAY that the best methods for living a longer, healthier life are simpler than you think. And if you're here to start your running journey, here are a few extra tips to get you started. Boston Marathon 2025 live: John Korir wins men's race, other updates and highlights The real 'fountain of youth' What's the secret to living longer? Get back to the basics. The things that we know that work today include sticking to an exercise routine, keeping your weight at a healthy level, getting regular and good sleep and avoiding cigarettes and other toxins, according to Dr. Douglas E. Vaughan, professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the director of the Potocsnak Longevity Institute. You should also try and reduce stress in your life and maintain healthy relationships with loved ones. Dr. Thomas Perls, professor of medicine at Boston University and longevity expert, previously told USA TODAY that he recommends curbing alcohol use. On diet specifically, Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard Professor of nutrition, food studies and public health, emerita, at New York University, previously said to eat a variety of minimally-processed "real foods" and balance calories. In the mind of S. Jay Olshansky, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Illinois Chicago, "exercise is about the only equivalent of a fountain of youth that exists today." Is it worth it? People spend $20,000 at this resort to uncover secrets about their health How should a beginner start running? If Rice has inspired you to begin a running journey, remember the old adage: Slow and steady wins the race. Running is a mechanical motion that requires good technique, both for speed and efficiency and for reducing the risk of injury. Jeremy Golden, sports performance expert, previously told USA TODAY that beginners should start slow. 'You crawl before you begin to walk, you walk before you run. You don't want to go all out right away because then you put yourself at risk for injury.' Golden recommended working on running mechanics and having a baseline strength level to make sure that your body can handle the level of pounding that comes with running. 'Any time I've been around a cross-country runner, and they've been successful, they've gotten stronger. They haven't forgotten about the weight room. To run faster for longer, you have to have good strength,' he emphasized. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to running nor longevity at large. But beginning with the basics is the key to giving it a try. Contributing: Delaney Nothaft
