ADA: Weight Loss, Type 2 Diabetes Remission Up With Replacing Diet Drinks With Water
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, June 25, 2025 -- For adult women with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), replacing diet beverages (DBs) with water is associated with greater weight loss and T2D remission, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 20 to 23 in Chicago.
Mehdi Farshchi, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues conducted a single-blind, randomized trial to examine the effects of replacing DBs with water on the durability of weight loss and T2D remission. A total of 81 adult women with overweight or obesity (body mass index 27 to 35 kg/m2) and T2D (glycated hemoglobin 6.5 to 7.2 percent) treated with metformin, were included in the study and completed a six-month weight loss intervention and 12-month weight maintenance program. The patients were randomly assigned to either substitute with water or continue drinking DBs for the 18-month follow-up.
The researchers found that a significant weight change was seen in the water group versus the DB group after the 18-month follow-up period (−6.82 ± 2.73 versus −4.85 ± 2.07 kg). T2D remission was achieved in 90 percent of 41 participants in the water group and 45 percent of 40 participants in the DB group. Compared with the DB group, the water group also had significant changes in body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, two-hour postprandial glucose, and serum triglycerides over the 18 months.
"These findings challenge a common belief in the U.S. that diet drinks have no potential negative effects for managing weight and blood sugar," lead author Hamid R. Farshchi, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer of D2Type, said in a statement. "Our study highlights the importance of promoting water, not just low-calorie alternatives, as part of effective diabetes and weight management. It's a small change with the potential for a big impact on long-term health outcomes."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
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Posted June 2025
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