Before sipping a cola to quench your thirst, try considering this new study. Researchers found that a can of sweetened carbonated beverage might increase risk of heart failure by 20 per cent.
A research revealed that two 200-ml soft drinks per day increase the chance of developing heart failure by 23 per cent, according to a study participated by more than 42,000 middle-aged men. The study included frizzy, sweetened drinks with sugar or sweeteners, but has not included natural fruit juices.
With rising concerns about sugar-related illnesses, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition of the UK government highly recommended that adults should consume no more than 30 grams of sugar, which is only seven teaspoons in household measurements.
Researchers have previously associated these drinks with various diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and stroke. However, this is the first time it has been linked to heart failure, according to the Swedish reporters.
The researchers interviewed over 42,000 men aging from 45 to 79 years old and determined their daily food consumption, food and drinks. They were followed up for 12 years.
At that time, results revealed that around 3,600 of them were diagnosed with heart failure, while more than 500 died. After taking into consideration other confounding factors, it is found that two servings of sweetened drinks account for a 23 per cent increase risk of heart failure.
"Our study findings suggest that sweetened beverage consumption could contribute to heart failure development," the researchers, including from the Karolinska Institute said. "These findings could have implications for heart failure prevention strategies." However, they emphasized that the study is limited to white, middle-aged men only and may not be applied to women, young ones and other ethnic groups.
"The well-known association of sweetened beverages with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, which are risk factors for heart failure, reinforces the biological plausibility of the findings," Spanish professors Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez and Miguel Ruiz-Canela wrote in a commentary. "Based on their results, the best message for a preventive strategy would be to recommend an occasional consumption of sweetened beverages or to avoid them altogether."
