Diet Drinks Increases Risk For Heart Attack and Stroke

A new study finds that consumption of diet drinks are connected with higher risk of heart attack, and a higher risk of stroke. The study is based on a questionnaire of 81,714 women aged between 50-79 who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational study. During the research, the researchers compared the health of women who drank 1 diet drink or non a week to the health of women who drank two or more diet drinks per week. The beverages used in the study included sodas and flavored drinks.

Their health was tracked for about 11.9 years to monitor the outcome of the study. The researchers discovered in their findings that women who drink diet drinks often had a 29 percent higher risk for heart disease, and a 23 percent higher risk for stroke.  

African- American women and obese women who frequently drink diet beverages, even had a higher risk for stroke and heart disease. Although the study those not say that diet drinks directly causes stroke, the association of artificial sweeteners to the rise in risk of these diseases is alarming.

More studies are needed to explain how artificial sweeteners affects the body and its effects on the risk of stroke. This doesn’t mean you should go back to drinking beverages loaded with sugar. Those kind of beverages have been established to cause heart diseases and stroke. The best beverage remains water. If you must drink diet soda, drink in moderation. Below is a recipe for a naturally flavored water.

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Pineapple Mint Ginger Water

Ingredients:

3 cups of thin sliced pineapple

4 sprigs of mint lightly crushed

Half cup of smashed Ginger

2 liters of water

Directions:

Place the pineapple, mint and ginger in a pitcher.

Add water to the pitcher.

Refrigerate for 3-4 hours to allow the ingredients infuse in the water.

Strain and serve.

Note: Pineapple infused water can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

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