Risks of drinking drinks with artificial sweeteners: stroke and early dementia

Chinese researchers say daily diet soda consumption may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by as much as 20%. New study finds artificially sweetened drinks linked to risk of irregular heartbeat

Drinking two liters of diet soda or other artificially sweetened drinks a day may increase the risk of dangerously irregular heartbeats by 20% compared to people who don’t drink any such drinks, according to a new study led by scientists in China.

According to The Guardian, a study conducted in Shanghai found that people who drink such drinks are more susceptible to a condition known as atrial fibrillation.

Theodore Maglione, an assistant professor of medicine and cardiologist specializing in cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, told The Guardian: “Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic shaking of the upper chambers of the heart. They usually fight in an organized manner.”

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation, or “atrial fibrillation,” include “fatigue, shortness of breath and heart palpitations,” Maglione explains.

According to Theodore Maglione, atrial fibrillation can often be genetic, but there are also some modifiable risk factors.

“Some things you can’t control are your genetics and age, which are also major risk factors. Some of the things you can control include smoking, hypertension, uncontrolled sleep apnea, obesity and proper nutrition,” the expert said.

It’s important to keep your blood pressure optimized when it comes to atrial fibrillation, Maglione says, as well as “living a heart-healthy lifestyle.”

“Diet and exercise have been shown to reduce the rate of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after we treat it with certain procedures,” he said.

“The jury is out on whether low-calorie sodas with artificial sweeteners are healthier than regular low-calorie sodas.”

When it comes to atrial fibrillation and proper nutrition, Maglione says avoiding foods high in cholesterol and fat and exercising regularly is key.

“Even modest weight loss was associated with a significantly lower rate of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after treatment,” he said.

Atrial fibrillation can also lead to blood clots, strokes and other heart-related complications, The Guardian notes.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that stroke is “the leading cause of serious long-term disability.” And atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of stroke in the United States.

People over 65 are at greater risk of heart disease such as atrial fibrillation and stroke, so it is more important for this group to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid artificially sweetened drinks.

Theodore Maglione states that there is also some evidence linking atrial fibrillation to early dementia later in life.

The study also looked at drinks with added sugar and clear, unsweetened juices such as orange juice. Drinks with added sugar were found to increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 10%, while drinking about four ounces of pure, unsweetened juices reduced the risk of developing the disease by 8%.

Penny Chris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, told CNN: “This is the first study to report an association between no- and low-calorie sweeteners and sugar-sweetened beverages and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.”

Whether you like soda or not, Maglione said it’s important to stay informed when it comes to heart disease.

“If you experience any symptoms of irregular heartbeat or palpitations, seek medical attention,” he advises. “Because usually with earlier intervention we can have greater success in treating and preventing events like stroke.”