Beverage Industry Funded 26 No-Link Soda Studies as Reviews Tie Sugary Drinks to Diabetes
Updated
Updated · Psychology Today · Jul 20
Beverage Industry Funded 26 No-Link Soda Studies as Reviews Tie Sugary Drinks to Diabetes
1 articles · Updated · Psychology Today · Jul 20
Summary
A 2016 review of 60 studies found all 26 papers reporting no link between sugary drinks and obesity or type 2 diabetes were funded by the beverage industry.
Independent evidence pointed the other way: 34 studies found a link, and a 2025 dietary-guidelines review said sugar-sweetened beverages may raise adults' type 2 diabetes risk.
A separate PLOS Medicine analysis found industry-funded beverage studies were about five times more likely to report no link to weight gain than independently funded research.
Internal documents and funding records added to that pattern: Coca-Cola helped shape the Global Energy Balance Network in 2015, and Coca-Cola and PepsiCo funded 96 health groups while opposing at least 28 soda-control bills.
The report argues the stakes extend beyond metabolism, because obesity, diabetes and depression are closely linked, with schizophrenia patients facing type 2 diabetes rates 2 to 5 times higher than the general population.