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Soft drinks end up associated with increased risk of heart disease in new study
One study identified a relationship between drinking sweetened beverages and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The research is published in the scientific journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.
An irregular and accelerated heart rate, which impairs blood circulation, characterizes the condition.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 200,000 adults. Participants were aged between 37 and 73, available on the UK Biobank – a British health database.
Which common drink increases heart disease risk?
The study noted that those who consumed more than two liters per week of artificially sweetened beverages, such as sugar-free soft drinks, had a 20% increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
They also identified a smaller increase, of 10%, among those who consumed more than two liters per week of non-artificially sweetened drinks, such as regular soft drinks. This dietary pattern, according to scientists, increases the risk of heart attack by five times.
On the other hand, they noted that consumption of up to one liter per week of pure juice, without added sugar, is associated with an 8% lower risk of atrial fibrillation.
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Sweetened drinks increase risk of atrial fibrillation, study says
Scientists’ recommendations
Ningjian Wang, a researcher at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital and the main person responsible for the study, recommended reducing or even abstaining from artificially sweetened and sugar-containing drinks.
He listed some possible explanations for the relationship between these drinks and the risk of atrial fibrillation. This includes insulin resistance and the body’s response to different sweeteners.
“Do not consider consuming artificially sweetened beverages that are low in sugar and calories to be healthy. This could pose possible health risks”, warned the researcher.
According to Penny Kris-Etherton, who participated in the study, “water is the best option. And based on this study, low- and low-calorie sweetened beverages should be limited or avoided.”
The study warns of the importance of further research into these drinks to confirm the findings and fully understand the full health consequences of heart disease and other related problems.
