(Image source from: Canva.com)

A large Swedish study showed on Monday that drinking sugary drinks can significantly increase the risk of serious cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The study also found that consuming too much added sugar can increase the risk of strokes and aneurysms. However, it is safe to limit snacking. “Consumption of sweetened beverages was more harmful to health than any other sugar,” said the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.

Susan Jung, a doctoral student at Lund University, says that sweet drinks containing liquid sugar “are typically less filling than solid drinks.” This makes people feel less full, which “can lead to overconsumption,” Jung said. Additionally, “unlike snacks, which are often enjoyed at gatherings or special occasions, sugary drinks are likely to be consumed more regularly.”

To understand how sugar intake affects the risk of cardiovascular disease, the research team pooled data from two large studies involving 69,705 participants. The study linked sweetened drinks such as honey, candy and sodas to seven cardiovascular diseases: two different types of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and aortic stenosis.

During the 10-year follow-up period, 25,739 participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. In general, high sugar intake increases the risk of ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm. The risk of heart failure was also significantly increased in participants with a normal BMI. Significantly, it was found that the greatest risk of adverse health effects was in the group with the lowest snack consumption, and it was found that “very low sugar consumption is neither essential nor necessary for cardiovascular health.” Beneficial, but Jung said the study was “observational and cannot prove cause and effect.”