This Sugar-Free Drink Can Triple Your Stroke Risk
Ralph Sacco, former president of AHA, commented that the result of this study is of great concern because diet soda is marketed as a healthier alternative to sugary beverages. And Sacco also said there is a growing number of studies that shows that despite popular belief both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks could harm the brain.
He explains further that major governing bodies such as the AHA have approved the replacement of sugar with artificial sweeteners to manage diabetes, high blood sugar, and other metabolic syndromes without fully understanding the health effects.
It is worth noting that the American Heart Association has acknowledged the findings of the Boston study.
According to AHA, various studies have linked artificially sweetened beverages to obesity, stroke, vascular diseases, and heart attack.
The Boston team highlights that they did not find a correlation between drinking sugary beverages and stroke or dementia. The reason for this result could be that the daily consumption of regular soda is not as high as diet soda, explains the lead scientist of this study, Dr. Matthew Pase.
He also warns that people should not use this result as evidence that sugary drinks are healthier than diet soda.
Nutritionist Rachel K. Johnson from the University of Vermont commented that people should focus more on reducing added sugar for better weight management and improved nutrition. And that artificially sweetened drinks should be consumed sparingly till there’s further evidence that proves their health effects. She added that it is best for people who want to manage diabetes or obesity to consume water, low-fat milk, or other sugar-free drinks.
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