Water vs. Diet Soda: Diabetes Remission
Swapping diet drinks for water significantly improves weight loss and diabetes remission in women with type 2 diabetes, a groundbreaking new study reveals. The research, presented at the American Diabetes Association‘s 85th Scientific Sessions, found that women who replaced diet beverages with water experienced greater weight loss and a doubled diabetes remission rate compared to those who continued drinking diet sodas.This study spotlights the potential health benefits of water, challenging the idea that diet drinks are harmless for weight and blood sugar management. Dive into the details of this critically important research, exploring the impact on body mass index, glucose levels, and insulin resistance. News Directory 3 is here to provide you with the most up-to-date health insights. Discover what’s next as we explore broader populations and the underlying mechanisms at play.
Water a better Choice Than Diet Soda for Weight Loss, Diabetes Remission
Updated June 21, 2025
Chicago-New research suggests that swapping diet beverages for water can substantially boost weight loss and diabetes remission rates among women struggling with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity or overweight. The findings were presented June 22 at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions.
The 18-month study, involving 81 adult women with T2D and weight issues, examined the impact of replacing diet drinks with water. Participants, already enrolled in a weight-management program, were divided into two groups: one replacing diet beverages with water, the other maintaining their usual diet drink consumption (five per week after lunch). All participants underwent a six-month weight-loss program followed by a year-long maintenance phase.
The results showed that women in the water group experienced greater weight loss, averaging -6.82 kilograms, compared to -4.85 kilograms in the diet beverage group. More strikingly, 90% of the water group achieved diabetes remission, versus only 45% in the diet beverage group. The water group also showed improvements in body mass index (BMI), glucose levels, insulin, triglyceride levels, and insulin resistance.
“These findings challenge a common belief in the US that diet drinks have no potential negative effects for managing weight and blood sugar,” said Dr. Hamid R. Farshchi, CEO of D2Type.
Farshchi added that the study underscores the importance of promoting water as part of effective diabetes and weight management, calling it “a small change with the potential for a big impact on long-term health outcomes.” The research highlights the potential health risks associated with regular consumption of diet sodas, despite their calorie-free nature, linking them to cardiovascular disease, T2D, and obesity.
What’s next
Further research is needed to explore these findings in broader populations and investigate the specific mechanisms by wich diet beverages may hinder weight loss and diabetes management. The study, led by Farshchi, formerly of the University of Nottingham, suggests a simple shift to water could yield significant health benefits.