Diet versions of soft drinks are just as bad for you as the sugary alternative, a study has found.
A check on 3,000 men and women over three years revealed that a single soft drink a day is enough to increase the chances of a heart attack.
Those who drink at least one a day are up to 60 percent more likely to develop obesity and high blood pressure, which can ultimately lead to attacks and strokes.
While previous studies have linked sugar-laden soft drinks and heart damage, the latest research, by Harvard Medical School, is the first to say that diet drinks, with artificial sugar, have the same effect.
"We were struck by the fact that it didn't matter whether it was a diet or regular soda ... the association with increased risk was still present," researchers told the American Heart Association.
They said the results were not due to soft drink consumers generally having a less healthy lifestyle. "We adjusted our analyses for fat intake, dietary fiber consumption and total caloric intake," said a research leader.
"We also took smoking and physical activity into account and still observed a significant association of soft drink consumption and risk ... to the heart."
Source: Daily Mail; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by YellowBrix.
