New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) A substantial Swedish investigation conducted on Monday indicated that indulging in sweetened beverages can markedly elevate the risk of severe cardiovascular ailments including stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
The research further demonstrated that excessive intake of added sugar may lead to an increased likelihood of experiencing a stroke or aneurysm. Nonetheless, moderate consumption of sugary treats appears to be safe.
According to the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, “Drinking sweetened beverages poses a greater health risk than any other type of sugar.”
Suzanne Janzi, a PhD candidate at Lund University, stated that these sweetened drinks, which contain liquid sugars, “generally offer less satisfaction than solid sugar sources.”
Janzi explained that this leads to individuals feeling less full, “which may result in overindulgence.”
Additionally, unlike treats that are “often savored during social gatherings or special occasions, sweetened beverages are typically consumed more frequently.”
To explore the impact of sugar intake on cardiovascular disease risk, the research team analyzed data from two significant studies, involving a total of 69,705 participants.
The study examined the relationship between sugar sources such as honey, pastries, and sweetened drinks (like carbonated beverages) and seven different cardiovascular diseases: two types of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, abdominal aortic aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, and aortic stenosis.
Over a decade of follow-up, 25,739 participants were identified with cardiovascular diseases.
High sugar consumption overall was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Additionally, it heightened the heart failure risk among participants with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI).
Interestingly, the study revealed that the greatest health risks occurred in the lowest intake category for sugary treats, indicating that “extremely low sugar consumption may not be necessary or advantageous for cardiovascular health.”
However, Janzi emphasized that the study is “observational and does not prove causation.”
