Diet Soda May Heighten
Risk for Vascular Events

 

A new study suggests that the diet soda may increase the risk for stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death. "People who had diet soda every day experienced a 61% higher risk of vascular events than those who reported drinking no soda," lead investigator Hannah Gardener, ScD, an epidemiologist from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida. The risk persisted after controlling for metabolic syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, and cardiac disease history.

As reported by Medscape Medical News, previous studies have suggested a link between diet soda consumption and the risk for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. But this is the first time diet drinks have been associated with vascular events.

American Stroke Association national spokesperson Larry Goldstein, MD pointed out that "this is an association and not yet a proven causal relationship." The investigators acknowledge that additional studies are needed. The potential mechanisms for the association between diet soda and vascular events remain unknown.

Full article summary on Medscape…

 

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