High intake of soda increases stroke risk

A recently published study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined soda's effect on stroke risk. Dr. Adam Bernstein, Research Director at Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute, said that their study aimed to understand if regular intake of sodas set off a chain reaction in the body that can lead to diseases, including stroke. Soda consumption of 43,371 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study between 1986 and 2008, and 84,085 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study between 1980 and 2008 was analyzed. Of those, 2,938 women and 1,416 men had a stroke. Those who drank more than one serving of sugar-sweetened soda per day had higher rates of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and lower physical activity rates. Those who consumed low-calorie soda had higher incidence of chronic disease and a higher body mass index. Both groups had significantly higher risk of stroke.