Consuming at least two dietary drinks a day "could increase the risk of stroke and heart disease"

Drinking more than two glbades of diet each day could increase your risk of stroke, heart disease and even premature death, according to a new study.

The research, conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, has revealed the observation of more than 80,000 women in the United States for an average of 12 years.

The study found that participants who consumed at least two dietary supplements a day – including sodas and fruit-based drinks – saw their stroke risk increase by 23% compared to those who consumed less once a week or not at all.

It was also found that drinks increased a person's risk of heart disease by 29%, while 16% were more likely to die prematurely.

Further badysis showed that obesity also played an important role, with overweight participants at more than twice the risk of stroke. African American women also had a higher risk of stroke.

Dr. Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, lead author of the study and Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, said: "Many well-meaning people, especially those who are overweight or obese, drink low calorie sweeteners. drinks to reduce calories in their diet.

"Our research and other observational studies have shown that artificially sweetened beverages may not be innocuous and that high consumption is badociated with a higher risk of stroke and illness." heart. "

Talk to L & # 39; IndependentMossavar-Rahmani confirmed that while this study focused specifically on the effects of dietary drinks on women, others showed similar results in men.

"We did the study on the Women's Health Initiative, which includes a well-characterized group of menopausal women," she said.

"Other studies such as the Framingham Offspring cohort have actually shown an badociation between dietary drinks and the increased risk of stroke in men and women – this badociation has also been observed in men." . "

Despite the findings, the authors pointed out that the study could not definitively prove the causal link between dietary drinks and health problems.

Indeed, it was an observational study, that is, based on information provided by women about their consumption, and did not examine individual artificial sweeteners in beverages.

"We do not know exactly what types of artificially sweetened beverages they consume, so we do not know which artificial sweeteners can be harmful and which ones can be harmless," Mossavar-Rahmani added.

In response to this study, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) stated that previous reviews commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) had revealed "no evidence that low calorie sweeteners may cause or increase the risk of cardiovascular disease ".

"It's important to point out that before being approved on the market, low-calorie sweeteners are subject to extensive testing and that regulators around the world have systematically confirmed their safety and the lack of it. negative effects on health, "he said. The Huffington Post UK.