Association Between Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among University Students

The increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages among young adults has become a growing public health concern due to its association with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between beverage consumption patterns and glucose tolerance among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 students of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, including 100 male and 100 female participants. Data were collected using standardized tools for anthropometric assessment, blood glucose analysis, blood pressure measurement, and dietary intake records. The findings revealed that 82.5% of the participants had normal blood glucose levels; however, male students demonstrated higher mean fasting blood glucose levels (93.50 ± 8.67 mg/dl) compared to female students (83.00 ± 8.39 mg/dl). Male participants also showed higher mean systolic (115.7 ± 9.6 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (79.4 ± 8.4 mmHg) than females (12.8 ± 8.7 mmHg and 74.5 ± 8.6 mmHg), respectively. Daily soda consumption was reported by 28% of respondents, while 30.5% preferred other sweetened beverages. Regular intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with elevated blood glucose levels, increased body mass index, and greater waist circumference, indicating higher metabolic risk among frequent consumers. The study concludes that excessive consumption of sweetened beverages may contribute to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes among university students. Public health interventions focusing on reducing sweetened beverage intake and promoting healthier dietary behaviors are strongly recommended to improve long-term metabolic health outcomes in young adults.