Diet sodas garnered a lot of popularity globally as they tried to encash on the concept of no sugar, low in calories thereby being healthy and the most sought-after option among non-alcoholic beverages. A recent study by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) turns out to be a nasty eye opener for all those who have been binging on Diet sodas. The study claims that an intake of more than two Diet sodas or any artificially sweetened beverages increases the probability of a stroke or a heart disease or even early death.
A research to gauge the effects of diet sodas:
The research was based on information collected from about eighty thousand American women aged between 50 to 79 over a period of 12 years. It was found that about 5 percent of the women drank two or more artificially sweetened beverages per day and it resulted in a21 percent increase in rate of stroke and an increased rate of other heart diseases by about 29 percent for that group compared to the women who rarely or never had diet drinks. They also claimed that this ‘high -risk’ group was 16 percent more like to die from any cause whatsoever.
‘Two a day’ diet sodas drinkers, although having no history of diabetes or a heart disease were 2.4 times more likely to have blood clots leading to a stroke as compared to women who don’t have any such history and drank very little or no diet drinks. For women of African- American origin this number spiked to 3.9 times and for other obese women the number plummeted to 2.03 times.
The research team clarified that this study is just an indicative assessment and bears no direct correlation between`increased health risks and drinking artificially sweetened beverages. However, it does expose the façade sported by the “diet” drinks manufacturers. People who think they are obliging their bodies by consuming diet drinks are instead gradually heading towards a deteriorating health condition. A recent press release openly declared the low-calorie sweetened drinks as not so harmless and a contributing factor to a higher risk of stroke. The researchers however have not pin pointed the exact detrimental ingredient in the diet drinks leading to this irrevocable damage to our body.
Try to replace your diet soda with a healthy drink:
Moreover, diet sodas has also been linked to weight gain and an increased risk of dementia. The study has thrown light that the so-called healthy drinks are instead the offenders to our health in disguise. The AHA had previously recommended a simple water intake when you feel thirsty or drained out. It sounds cliched but can’t ignore the nasty truth as well. The researchers suggested a carbonated flavored water instead which doesn’t use artificial sweeteners and still mimic the bubbles of your artificially sweetened soda. It may take time to get over your addiction, but its just a matter of time. It is difficult but not impossible, once you deliberately develop a habit of indulging in natural drinks and juices coupled with regular exercise and a regulated lifestyle.
