Sugary drink a day boosts heart disease risk

Another study concludes that just one sugary drink a day can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Last year, researchers in France found even one small glass of soda or sugary juice can increase your chances of getting cancer or having heart problems.

Now, in a study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, California researchers have found one serving daily of a sugary soft drink is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sugar-sweetened beverages were defined as “caloric

soft drinks, sweetened bottled waters or teas, and fruit drinks.”

For their study, the scientists questioned 106,178 women free from cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus in the California Teachers Study, a cohort of female teachers and administrators who have been followed since 1995.

The study found that women who daily consumed fruit drinks with sugar added — “fruit drink” excluded fruit juices and included only flavored fruity drinks with added sugar — were 42% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared with those who drank no sugary beverages. Frequent soda drinkers had less risk, with a 23% greater likelihood for cardiovascular disease overall.

The American Heart Association advises no added sugar for children younger than age 2, no more than 100 calories from added sugar a day for children older than age 2 and most women, and no more than 150 calories from added sugar a day for most men. That’s about 6 teaspoons, or 24 grams, of sugar for children older than age 2 and women, and 9 teaspoons or, 36 grams, of sugar for men.