Could Soda be Damaging Your Heart?

Whether you have a fondness for them or not, sweetened beverages have become a permanent fixture in American diets.

These unhealthy drinks, such as soda, diet soda, sweetened juices, and sugary coffees, have dominated the beverage scene for many years.

Setting jokes aside, this trend has led us to a concerning place concerning our well-being and lifespan.

The Troubling History of Soda

Research indicates that consuming sweetened beverages, whether sugary or artificially sweetened, can result in severe health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Moreover, it has been discovered that these drinks can also increase the risk of another significant heart condition, unbeknownst to most conventional medical practitioners.

The Hazards of Diet Soda

It's commonly understood that sugary drinks are detrimental to health.

We are well aware of the associated health risks, such as tooth decay, Type-2 diabetes, and weight gain, that come with excessive consumption of sweets.

However, when it comes to diet beverages, the mainstream typically takes a different stance, claiming that artificially sweetened drinks are safe for both weight management and overall health, despite numerous studies suggesting otherwise.

For example, a study involving 2,300 participants in 2023 revealed that those who consumed higher quantities of sodas were at a heightened risk of developing liver disease compared to those who consumed less or none at all.

Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), added aspartame – a common artificial sweetener – to its list of substances "possibly carcinogenic to humans" for the first time, underscoring the concerns raised about the risks associated with aspartame and similar additives over the past decade.

Another study involving over 31,000 women found that those who consumed more artificial sweeteners had a 50% increased risk of depression.

Why are these additives considered dangerous?

Experts suggest that these chemicals can adversely affect both mental and physical health by disrupting the gut microbiome, affecting insulin levels, and certain brain chemicals. Furthermore, artificial sweeteners can induce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, reducing glutathione levels.

Glutathione is a vital antioxidant in the body crucial for combating aging. Studies indicate that an alarming 86% of Americans may have a deficiency. Supplementation with glutathione or nutrients promoting its natural production, such as N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC), can be beneficial.

These findings suggest that the diet drinks often deemed safe by mainstream sources are, in reality, not without health risks. It's another compelling reason to eliminate these beverages from your routine.

New Risk: Sweetened Beverages Heighten A-Fib Risk

In a recent study, researchers explored the link between sweetened drink consumption and atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, in over 200,000 participants.

The study revealed that individuals consuming more than 8.5 cups of sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened drinks faced an increased risk of developing A-fib compared to those who consumed fewer such beverages.

Even more concerning was that individuals consuming artificially sweetened drinks had a higher risk of A-fib than those consuming sugar-sweetened drinks.

While not surprising to some, other medical professionals found these results unexpected.

"Somewhat surprising was that subjects with increased consumption of artificially sweetened beverages were at the highest risk of incident AF. These findings raise the possibility that artificial sweeteners may have a more important role and contribute to the patho of AF," reported Robert Koeth, MD, PhD, and two colleagues of Cleveland Clinic.

Eliminate These Harmful Beverages Today!

While 8.5 cups may seem like a considerable amount, heavy soda drinkers can easily surpass this in a single day.

Consider the impact that a week's worth of these drinks could have on your body and heart.

This underscores the importance of completely removing sweetened beverages from your diet.

Opt for unsweetened iced teas and coffees instead.

Alternatively, enjoy a refreshing summertime beverage like plain seltzer water with slices of fresh fruit, such as pineapple and orange.

This simple yet delightful drink offers refreshment without jeopardizing your heart health or overall well-being.