Diet Soda, Meat, and Fried Foods Linked to Metabolic Syndrome

School of Public Health researchers have found a new reason to cut back on diet soda, meat, and fried foods. They all appear to raise the risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition that leads to diabetes and heart disease.

Metabolic syndrome develops when a person has three or more of the following risk factors: elevated blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and abnormal levels of triglycerides, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

The study was led by SPH associate professor Lyn Steffen, and doctoral student Pam Lutsey served as the first author. The researchers followed the eating habits of close to 10,000 people.

After tracking the group for nine years, they concluded that consuming two portions of meat a day increased the risk for metabolic syndrome by 26 percent, one daily can of diet soda increased risk by 34 percent, and fried foods by 25 percent.

Why diet soda proved to be a culprit is not yet known. Steffen says it could be an ingredient in the soda, or it could be the lifestyle of the consumer.

“Those who drink diet soda may overcompensate their consumption of other non-healthy foods,” she explains. Dairy products, by contrast, appeared to offer some protection against metabolic syndrome. Three low-fat servings a day lowered risk by 13 percent.

Steffen says the typical western diet, which is heavy on red or processed meat and low on fish, fruit, vegetables, and whole-grains, isn’t doing Americans much good.

“You don’t have to completely avoid certain foods and beverages,” she says. “But it’s important to eat a variety of foods in moderation.”

To hear a Public Health Moment about this study, go to www.sph.umn.edu/moment/.