Diet drinks ‘increase risk of stroke and heart disease’

vector stock of soda cups with three different sugar content label
vector stock of soda cups with three different sugar content label

Two or more diet drinks a day increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and the likelihood of an early death – especially is older women – new research suggests.

A new study by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association suggests that the risks associated with drinking two or more diet drinks a day – stroke and heart disease – were highest for women with no history of heart disease or diabetes and women who were obese or African-American.

The study involving more than 80,000 women found that drinking two or more diet drinks a day – including fizzy drinks and fruit-based diet drinks – increased the risk of stroke by 23%.

Compared with women who consumed diet drinks less than once a week or not at all, women who consumed two or more artificially-sweetened drinks per day were also 29% more likely to develop heart disease and 16% more likely to die from any cause.

Dr Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, lead author of the study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York says: “Many well-meaning people, especially those who are overweight or obese, drink low-calorie sweetened drinks to cut calories in their diet.

“Our research and other observational studies have shown that artificially sweetened beverages may not be harmless and high consumption is associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart disease.”

Previous research has shown a link between diet beverages and stroke, dementia, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.

The authors stressed that the study found a link but could not prove that diet drinks cause stroke and heart problems.

Dr Rachel Johnson, professor of nutrition emeritus at the University of Vermont and chairwoman of the writing group for the American Heart Association’s science advisory, Low-Calorie Sweetened Beverages And Cardiometabolic Health, told the Press Association: “Unfortunately, current research simply does not provide enough evidence to distinguish between the effects of different low-calorie sweeteners on heart and brain health.

“This study adds to the evidence that limiting use of diet beverages is the most prudent thing to do for your health.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login