The next time you indulge your teenager with a popular cola, think twice.

Latest research in the United States suggests that high fructose corn syrup, a common sweetener used in popular colas, could lead to diabetes when consumed in excess � as children are wont to.

A laboratory study of commonly consumed beverages, scientists said, found that those with the syrup contained high levels of reactive compounds that other studies have shown to lead to diabetes.

The latest study, conducted by Chi-Tang Ho, professor of food science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, found 'astonishingly high levels' of HFCS in common colas.

HFCS is widely used by the beverages industry as a sweetener over regular sugar since it is more economical to do so, blends better, and is sweeter.

Ho estimates that a single can of soda contains about five times the concentration of reactive compounds than that found in the blood of an adult diabetic.

Ho's team found that non-carbonated fruit juices with HFCS had one-third the amount of reactive compounds than found in carbonated sodas.

The team also found that adding components of tea to drinks with HFCS significantly reduced the levels of reactive compounds, sometimes even by half.