Is it true that the sweeteners in drinks can cause diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when a person's body can no longer make insulin, can't make enough insulin or can't properly use insulin. Insulin is needed for glucose (sugar) to move from your blood into your muscle cells, where it is used for energy.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood. It's believed to be an autoimmune disease and is not preventable. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults, and is generally associated with being overweight or obese.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), consuming too much sugar does not cause diabetes. However, consuming too many calories from any combination of foods and drinks in the diet, if you don't use up enough energy, can lead to becoming overweight or obese.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has stated: "Lifestyle changes aimed at weight control and increased physical activity are important objectives in the prevention of type 2 diabetes." Regarding weight control, all calories count wherever they come from, including those from our caloric drinks.