Study Links Diet Drinks to Irregular Heartbeat
Drinking diet sodas and other artificially sweetened drinks is associated with an increased risk of developing an irregular heart rhythm.
That's according to a new study from researchers in China.
They were looking at the effects that these drinks, as well as sugar-sweetened drinks and pure fruit juices, have on something called atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous irregular heartbeat that can lead to strokes and serious heart problems.
The study found that adults who drank 2 liters or more of artificially sweetened drinks per week had a 20% higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
Among those who drank about the same amount of sugar-sweetened drinks, the risk increased by 10%, compared with those who didn't drink any of these drinks at all.
The researchers used data from the UK Biobank, a large database of information from more than 200,000 people in the UK.
The participants were tracked for an average of almost 10 years, during which time more than 9,300 cases of atrial fibrillation were reported.
The researchers said participants who drank more artificially sweetened drinks were more likely to be female, younger and have a higher body mass index.
However, they weren't sure exactly why artificial sweeteners might be having an effect on heart health.
The study also found that drinking one liter or less of pure fruit juice each week was associated with an 8% lower risk of atrial fibrillation.
Theodore Maglione, a heart expert from the US, told The Guardian that atrial fibrillation can be genetic. However, he said we can still help lower our risks by thinking about what we choose to eat and drink.
He said getting exercise and losing weight are also good ways to reduce our risks, and anyone with concerns about their heart health should speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
