Mini Mikkipedia - Do Diet Drinks Cause Diabetes? Let’s Talk Evidence

Sign up to my fatloss in the festive season webinar here. https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/fatloss-in-the-festive-season-2026

In this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki breaks down a recent Australian headline claiming that diet sodas increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Spoiler: the science doesn’t support that claim. Mikki dives into the observational study at the centre of the controversy, teasing apart key limitations—like reverse causality, confounding behaviours, and reliance on a single food frequency questionnaire over 14 years. She explains why the idea that diet drinks are as harmful as sugary ones is not only misleading but potentially dangerous for public health messaging. If you’ve ever wondered whether your Diet Coke habit is sabotaging your health, this episode offers clarity backed by evidence.

What You'll Learn:

• Why observational studies can't prove causation
• The concept of reverse causality in nutrition research
• Limitations of self-reported dietary data over long periods
• How bias and confounding can distort risk estimates
• Why focusing on overall lifestyle matters far more than zero-calorie drinks

Contact Mikki:
https://mikkiwilliden.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutrition
https://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/
https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nz
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.com
Curranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order