Drinking just one can of sugar-sweetened soft drink every day could significantly increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests.

According to UK scientists, most research in this area has been carried out in the US. They decided to investigate whether there were any links between sugary drinks and type 2 diabetes in Europe.

They looked at over 12,400 people with type 2 diabetes and 16,000 people without the condition living in eight European countries, including the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy.

The study found that the consumption of just one 12oz (336ml) serving of a sugar-sweetened soft drink every day increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 22%.

When total energy intake and body mass intake were taken into account, this risk fell slightly to 18%.

However, the consumption of pure fruit juice and nectars did not appear to be significantly linked to the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Nectars are fruit juices that have been diluted and may contain sugar or sweeteners.

The scientists from Imperial College London said that the results are similar to US findings, where the increased risk came in at around 25%.

"Given the increase in sweet beverage consumption in Europe, clear messages on the unhealthy effect of these drinks should be given to the population," they concluded.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Diabetologia.