Their link to dementia and strokes
BY ENDURANCE NEWS STAFF
The conclusion of a recent study published in the April edition of the journal, Stroke, was direct and to-the point: Artificially sweetened soft drink consumption was associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia.
Both sugar- and artificially sweetened beverage intake have been linked to cardiometabolic risk factors (the chances of having diabetes, heart disease or stroke), which increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease - a group of conditions that affect the supply of blood to the brain – and dementia.
This particular study, which included nearly 3,000 participants over 45 years old involved in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort, showed that while consumers of sugar drinks and artificially sweetened drinks were at increased risk for having smaller brains and advanced brain aging, the consumption of one artificially sweetened diet soda daily was associated with triple the risk of suffering a stroke or becoming demented.
While the increased incidences of dementia and stroke were associated only with those consuming artificially sweetened drinks, experts strongly recommend that people not switch back to sugar-sweetened drinks. Sugar sweetened sodas contain copious amounts of sugar, which has been associated with numerous negative health consequences, including:
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks, and strokes
According to renowned nutritional expert, Dr. Gabe Mirkin, Accumulating evidence shows that sugared drinks are harmful to your health. Several recent studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may also be harmful to your health. The safest drink for quenching thirst appears to be water. Unsweetened coffee and tea appear to be safe choices also.
Bottom line: Staying away from both sugar- and artificially sweetened-drinks - even more so the latter, it appears from this latest study - will help keep you clear of the many diseases and health issues associated with both.
None of the Hammer Nutrition fuels has ever contained any artificial ingredients, including artificial sweeteners. Instead, we use the healthy sweeteners xylitol and stevia. In addition to naturally sweetening the product, both xylitol and stevia promote positive oral health, as neither ferment and support the acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay.
