More Bad News For Diet Drinkers

Study: Diet soda linked to heart risks

BOSTON (AP) — People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, a large but inconclusive study found.
The results surprised the researchers who expected to see a difference between regular and diet soda drinkers. It could be, they suggest, that even no-calorie sweet drinks increase the craving for more sweets, and that people who indulge in sodas probably have less healthy diets overall.
The study's senior author, Dr. Vasan Ramachandran, emphasized the findings don't show diet sodas are a cause of increased heart disease risks. But he said they show a surprising link that must be studied.
The research comes from a massive, multi-generational heart study following residents of Framingham, Mass., a town about 25 miles west of Boston. The new study of 9,000 observations of middle-aged men and women was published Monday online in the journal Circulation.
The researchers found those who drank more than one soda per day — diet or regular — had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, compared to those who drank less than one soda. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that increase the risk for heart disease including large waistlines and higher levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides.
At the start of the study, those who reported drinking more than one soft drink a day had a 48% increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to those who drank less soda.
Of participants who initially showed no signs of metabolic syndrome, those who drank more than one soda per day were at 44% higher risk of developing it four years later, they reported.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• It should be pretty obvious by now that there is no such thing as healthy soda. And those who thought diet soda was "healthier", well, think again.


• Sodas with artificial sweeteners come with their own baggage such as a increased risk of cancer and possible insulin resistance.


• What your body needs is water. Give your body what it needs.


• This may be the first time you've heard of metabolic syndrome, but it won't be the last. The high stress American lifestyle is actually creating its own disease. A disease that can destroy your ability to maintain you health by shutting down your bodies self regulating pathways and leading you instead down a path of medications and artificial "health". This disease (metabolic syndrome) is fortunately reversible however... if you take the necessary steps to regain your health through adequate nutrition, exercise, avoidance of toxins, and a clear nervous system.