Sugary or diet-related beverages may raise the risk of developing a serious heart disease, according to research published in the American Heart Association journal "Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.".
The study indicated that drinking more than two liters of sugary drinks weekly raised atrial fibrillation (a-fib) risk by 20%. However, one liter of unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice each week lowered the risk by 8%. However, consuming two liters of sugary drinks weekly increased the risk by 10%, as reported by Health Day.
The study examined nutrition and genetic data from almost 200,000 participants in the UK Biobank long-term health study between 2006 and 2010. None had a-fib when they joined the UK trial, but over 9,400 instances of abnormal heart rhythm emerged over 10 years.
The American Heart Association notes that 15-20% of strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation.
The study also revealed smoking may increase a-fib risk. For smokers, more than two liters of sugary beverages per week elevated the risk by 31%, but not for former or never-smokers.
Beverage consumption increased a-fib risk, but genetics did not. Due to insulin resistance or artificial sweetener responses, sweetened beverages may increase a-fib risk.
(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Bottles of soda are displayed in a cooler on June 29, 2018 in San Francisco, California.
Avoid Consuming Sodas As Much As Possible
Dr. Ningjian Wang of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, who led the research, noted the complexity of dietary components and recommended limiting or eliminating artificially and sugar-sweetened drinks.
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The results surprised Penny Kris-Etherton, an American Heart Association nutrition committee member, especially with artificially sweetened drinks. Two liters of such drinks a week equal one 12-ounce diet Coke every day, she said. The expert noted that though more study is required to understand the health effects of soda consumption properly, she recommended restricting or eliminating no- and low-calorie sweetened drinks and drinking water instead.
The CDC emphasizes that regular intake of sugary drinks is connected to conditions like weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay, cavities, and gout.
Taylor Swift Songs Are Good For The Heart
Meanwhile, in interesting heart research reported by TechTimes, Monash University's Victorian Heart Institute revealed that Taylor Swift's music may save lives during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The cardiac doctors, known for their "fearless" approach, found over 50 Swift songs with optimum bpm for cardiopulmonary resuscitation chest compressions.
Victorian Heart Institute Director Professor Stephen Nicholls emphasizes the need to use modern music like Swift's in CPR instruction. He believes this novel strategy might revolutionize cardiovascular health and survival. The study links Taylor Swift's music to life-saving CPR procedures, which might change how people train.
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