Link Between Diet Drinks and Sugary Beverages with Increased Risk of Heart Condition Revealed in Recent Study
Recent research highlights the association between artificially sweetened drinks and a 20% elevated risk of atrial fibrillation, while sugary beverages are linked to a 10% increase in this dangerous heart condition.
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A recent study revealed that consuming two liters or more per week of artificially sweetened beverages, such as a medium-sized fast-food diet soda daily, increased the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation by 20% compared to those who did not consume these drinks.
Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-fib, is a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat that many people describe as a "quiver," "flutter," or "flip-flop" in the chest.
According to a study, consuming a similar amount of sugary drinks increased the risk of atrial fibrillation by 10%. On the other hand, drinking approximately four ounces of pure, unsweetened juices like orange or vegetable juice was linked to an 8% lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
Penny Kris-Etherton, a professor emeritus of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University, mentioned in a statement that this study is the first to link no- and low-calorie sweeteners as well as sugar-sweetened beverages to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. She was not part of the new study.
Even though the study only established a connection between sweetened drinks and A-fib, this relationship persisted even after considering any genetic predisposition to the condition. A previous study from 2017 revealed that individuals with European ancestry had approximately a 22% chance of inheriting the condition.
Senior woman experiencing chest pain while sitting on the sofa at home. This could be due to old age, health issues, poor vision, or other factors. It may indicate a heart attack. It's important to take immediate action if an elderly person is suffering from chest pain indoors.
Senior Woman Suffering From Chest Pain While Sitting on Sofa at Home. Old Age, Health Problem, Vision and People Concept. Heart Attack Concept. Elderly Woman Suffering From Chest Pain Indoor
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More research is needed on these beverages to confirm the findings and fully understand their impact on heart disease and other health conditions, according to Kris-Etherton, an American Heart Association nutrition committee member.
In the meantime, Kris-Etherton suggests that water is the best choice. She also recommends limiting or avoiding no- and low-calorie sweetened beverages based on the study findings.
Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous condition that is becoming more common. It is actually the main reason for strokes in the United States. Furthermore, strokes linked to A-fib are typically more serious compared to strokes caused by other factors, as stated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Atrial fibrillation can also increase the risk of developing blood clots, heart failure, and other long-term complications such as heart attack, dementia, and kidney disease. Dr. Gregory Marcus, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and associate chief of cardiology for research at UCSF Health, highlighted these potential risks in an interview with CNN.
Replacing both diet and added sugar sodas with water is best to reduce chances of atrial fibrillation, experts say.
Replacing both diet and added sugar sodas with water is best to reduce chances of atrial fibrillation, experts say.
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Nearly 40 million people worldwide are living with atrial fibrillation. In the United States alone, there are 6 million individuals with this condition, as reported by the Heart Rhythm Society. This organization represents over 7,000 specialists in cardiac rhythm disorders from more than 90 countries.
For many people with atrial fibrillation, they experience symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. However, some individuals may have A-fib without any noticeable symptoms, making it a potentially silent threat. Once diagnosed, treatment options include medications, lifestyle adjustments, and in some cases, surgeries to help regulate or restore the heart's normal rhythm.
The rate of atrial fibrillation in the US population is on the rise. According to the CDC, it is estimated that around 12 million Americans will be affected by A-fib by the year 2030.
Marcus mentioned that one of the major risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation is age. As the population continues to age, the prevalence of A-fib is increasing.
A caring mid adult female home healthcare nurse uses a stethoscope to check the heart and lungs on a senior female patient.
A caring mid adult female home healthcare nurse uses a stethoscope to check the heart and lungs on a senior female patient.
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The epidemic of obesity, along with other risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, smoking, and alcohol consumption, is contributing to the growing numbers of health issues.
According to Naveed Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, previous research has linked high consumption of soft drinks to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). He was not part of the new study.
AF is often linked to type 2 diabetes, binge drinking (also known as holiday heart), and the use of illicit drugs like cocaine, according to Sattar.
There may also be other health risks to consider.
The study, which was published in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology on Tuesday, looked at data from around 202,000 individuals who were part of the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database. These participants, who were followed for an average of 10 years, ranged in age from 37 to 73 years old, with over half of them being female.
According to the study, individuals who consumed higher amounts of artificially sweetened beverages were more likely to be female, younger, have a higher weight, and have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, those who drank more sugar-sweetened beverages were more likely to be male, younger, have a higher weight, and have a higher prevalence of heart disease.
Mixed salty snacks. Flat lay table scene on a rustic wood background.
Mixed salty snacks. Flat lay table scene on a rustic wood background.
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People who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages and pure juice were found to have a higher total sugar intake compared to those who drank artificially sweetened drinks.
Lead study author Dr. Ningjian Wang from Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China mentioned that the complexity of diets and the possibility of individuals drinking multiple types of beverages make it challenging to definitively determine which beverage poses a greater health risk.
Based on these findings, it is recommended by Wang that people should try to cut back or avoid artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened beverages whenever they can. It is important not to assume that drinking low-sugar and low-calorie artificially sweetened beverages is a healthy choice, as it could potentially have negative effects on your health.
Editor's P/S:
This article highlights the concerning link between artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (A-fib), an irregular heartbeat. The study's findings are alarming, as A-fib is a serious condition that can lead to strokes, heart failure, and other complications. It also sheds light on the importance of limiting or avoiding sugary drinks, as they too have been associated with an elevated risk of A-fib.
The article underscores the need for further research to fully understand the impact of these beverages on heart health. However, based on the current evidence, it is prudent to prioritize water as the preferred beverage and to minimize the consumption of artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened drinks. This simple yet effective step can potentially reduce the risk of developing A-fib and other cardiovascular issues.
