February 16, 2011 – Drinking at least one diet soda a day is linked to an increased risk of having a stroke, according to a recent study1 American.
People who take diet sodas on a daily basis are said to be 61% more likely to have a vascular disorder than those who do not.
Even taking into account the risk factors of metabolic syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, and family history, the risk remains high (48%) in diet sodas.
This is the first study to link diet sodas to these health conditions. The researchers are, however, very cautious in their analysis. “We only observed an association and not a causal relationship. At this point, we can’t assume that diet drinks are causing vascular problems, ”says Hannah Gardener, lead author of the study and epidemiologist at the University of Miami.
Other factors not studied, such as weight and poor eating habits, could however explain this association, warn the researchers.
The study was conducted among 2,564 New Yorkers of various ethnic origins. Of these, 163 said they drink at least one diet soda per day. The frequency and type of drinks consumed by the participants were established using a questionnaire at the start of the study.
Over the next 9 years, researchers identified 559 vascular problems, including strokes of hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic strokes. Of that number, 338 were found to be fatal.
More studies on the long-term health effects of soft drinks are needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. Until then, the researchers suggest that consumers opt for moderation since, even on a diet, sodas could be harmful to health.
Louis M. Gagné – PasseportSanté.net
1. The results were unveiled at the recent American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference
