Two liters of artificially sweetened juices per week increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, by 20%, reports CNN.
Diet drinks increase the risk of atrial fibrillation – Photo Archive
According to a study cited by CNN, the risk of atrial fibrillation increases by 20% for people who consume two liters per week of diet drinks.
High-sugar juices increased the risk of this heart arrhythmia by 10%, while 100% natural fruit juices were associated with an 8% lower risk of atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia, can interrupt normal blood circulation and is described by some as a “trembling” of the heart.
“This is the first study to report an association between no- and low-calorie sweeteners, as well as sugar-sweetened beverages, and increased risk of atrial fibrillation. We still need more research on these drinks to confirm these findings and fully understand all the health consequences in terms of heart disease and other conditions Penny Kris-Etherton, professor emeritus of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University, said in a statement. She was not involved in the new study.
“Water is the best choice, and based on this study, non- and low-calorie sweetened beverages should be limited or avoided“, she says.
Most of the time, zero sugar alternatives are chosen by people who want to lose weight. But in the long term a condition like atrial fibrillation also increases the risk of heart attack, dementia or kidney disease, experts say.
That's why we are advised to replace juices of any kind with water, to reduce health risks.
“The findings of our study cannot definitively conclude that one drink poses more health risks than anotherbecause of the complexity of our diets and because some people can drink more than one type of drink”says the study's lead author, Dr. Ningjian Wang, a professor at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, China.
“However, based on these findings, we recommend that people reduce or even avoid artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened beverages whenever possible. Don't assume that drinking artificially sweetened low-sugar, low-calorie drinks is healthy, it can pose potential health risks”he adds.
The study analyzed data from more than 200,000 people, and higher drinkers of artificially sweetened beverages were more likely to be female, younger, weigh more and have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. who consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages were more likely to be male, younger, weigh more, and have a higher prevalence of heart disease.
Who is at risk of atrial fibrillation?
Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, smoking and alcohol consumption contribute to the spread of this condition. Moreover, family history of early-onset atrial fibrillation and height are among the risk factors. Previous research found that people taller than 1 meter 70 cm are at greater risk, writes the Italian publication Corriere della Sera.
“It is well known that the risk of Atrial Fibrillation is associated with type 2 diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption (commonly called 'party heart') as well as illicit drug (cocaine) use,” said Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London.
Almost 40 million people worldwide live with atrial fibrillation. While some people have no symptoms, others may experience heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue or fainting, cardiologists say.
Specialists advise us to go to the doctor when we have palpitations and the heart rate is over one hundred or if we notice a jump in blood pressure.
