title: Higher plain water intake is associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk: a cross-sectional study in humans.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plain water intake and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. It was hypothesized that higher plain water intake would be associated with a lower T2D risk score. One hundred thirty-eight adults from Southwest and Southeast England answered a cross-sectional online survey assessing T2D risk (using the Diabetes UK risk assessment); physical activity (using the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire); and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and beverages (using an adapted version of the Cambridge European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Food Frequency Questionnaire). There was a trend for differences in mean plain water intake between those stratified as having low, increased, moderate, or high risk of T2D; but these did not achieve significance (P = .084). However, plain water intake was significantly negatively correlated with T2D risk score (τ = -0°180, P = .005); and for every 240-mL cup of water consumed per day, T2D risk score was reduced by 0.72 point (range, 0-47) (B = -0.03, 95% confidence interval = -0.06 to -0.01, P = .014). The current study has provided preliminary results that are supported by theory; mechanisms need to be explored further to determine the true effect of plain water intake on disease risk. As increasing plain water intake is a simple and cost-effective dietary modification, its impact on T2D risk is important to investigate further in a randomized controlled trial. Overall, this study found that plain water intake had a significant negative correlation with T2D risk score; and regression analysis suggested that water may have a role in reducing T2D risk.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Harriet A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: angeliki.papadaki@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papadaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004326:Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: Cross-sectional studies; Diabetes mellitus; Humans; Lifestyle; Risk assessment; Type 2; Water