Soda Consumption Linked to Heart Disease, Diabetes and Stroke

According to a recent Gallup poll, roughly half of the U.S. adult population consumes at least one glass of soda per day. Whether it's a Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, etc., sodas have become a staple beverage in our society. And while consuming a single soda per day may seem harmless enough, researchers have linked these sugary drinks to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and even stroke.

Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from more than 84,000 women between 1980 and 2010 as part of the Nurses Study, as well as 42,000 men between 1986 and 2010 as part of the Health Professionals Study. The purpose of this study was gauge the impact of soda consumption on participants' health. Follow ups were conducted at 4-year intervals.

Throughout the course of the study, researchers found that participants who consumed two sodas per day had a 35% greater risk of heart attack or heart failure, a 16% greater risk of stroke, and a 26% greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. 

So, what exactly is causing these disturbing health effects in soda? Researchers were quick to point out that the vast majority of sodas are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, which of course has a long history of being linked to adverse health conditions. This sugary substance overwhelms the body, flooding it with an excess amount of glucose -- far more than the recommended amount. Just a single 12-ounce soda, for instance, may pack as much as 39 grams of sugar!

"Since we rarely consume fructose in isolation, the major source of fructose in the diet comes from fructose-containing sugars, sucrose and high fructose corn syrup, in sugar-sweetened beverages," said one of the study's authors in a press release. "Our findings underscore the urgent need for public health strategies that reduce the consumption of these drinks."

Instead of drinking sodas, you should try to switch to pure, unadulterated H2O. While there's nothing wrong drinking an occasional Coke every once in a while, it shouldn't become part of your daily routine. With 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar, it will only further degrade your health without offering any real nutritional value in return. And assuming researchers from this study are correct, drinking sodas can place your at risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.