Two diet drinks a day linked to stroke risk

Women who drink at least two cans of diet drink a day are at more risk of stroke, heart disease or an early death, according to a study involving more than 80,000 women.

It found that consuming two or more low-calorie sweetened drinks a day increased a woman’s chances of a stroke by 23 per cent, compared with women who drank them less than once a week.

They were also 29 per cent more likely to develop heart disease, and 16 per cent more likely to die from any cause during the 12 years covered by the trial.

The study was observational, and based on women’s reports about their own consumption, so cannot prove cause and effect.

Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, lead author and an associate professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine said: ‘‘Many well-meaning people, especially those who are overweight or obese, drink low-calorie sweetened drinks to cut calories in their diet.

‘‘Our research and other observational studies have shown that artificially sweetened beverages may not be harmless and high consumption is associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart disease.’’

Obese women who drank two or more drinks a day were twice as likely to have a stroke caused by a blood clot.

The researchused data on 81,714 women aged between 50 and 79 at the start of the study and followed them for an average of 11.9 years. They were asked to report how often in the past three months they had consumed diet drinks.

One serving of diet drink was regarded as 355ml, a little more than the standard 330ml can sold in the UK.

‘‘We don’t know specifically what types of artificially sweetened beverages they were consuming, so we don’t know which artificial sweeteners may be harmful and which may be harmless,’’ Dr Mossavar-Rahmani said.

The American Heart Association has said that there is inadequate research to conclude whether such drinks affect the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, it said that water was the best choice for a no-calorie drink.

Rachel Johnson, professor emeritus of nutrition at the University of Vermont and chairwoman of the writing group for the American Heart Association’s science advisory, Low-calorie sweetened beverages and cardiometabolic health, said: ‘‘Unfortunately current research simply does not provide enough evidence to distinguish between the effects of different low-calorie sweeteners on heart and brain health. This study adds to the evidence that limiting use of diet beverages is the most prudent thing for your health.’’

Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: ‘‘According to all leading health authorities in the world, including the European Food Safety Authority, low- and nocalorie sweeteners are safe.’’

The Times, London

Obese women who drank two or more drinks a day were twice as likely to have a stroke caused by a blood clot.