More bad news about soda. Researchers from Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute and Harvard University found that greater consumption of sugar-sweetend and low-calorie sodas is associated with a higher risk of stroke. Interestingly, consumption of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee was associated with a lower risk of stroke. The study included 43,271 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study between 1986 and 2008 and 84,085 women from the Nurses' Health Study between 1980 and 2008.
In sugar-sweetened sodas, the sugar load may lead to rapid increases in blood glucose and insulin which, over time, may lead to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and inflammation. These physiologic changes influence atherosclerosis, plaque stability and thrombosis – all of which are risk factors of ischemic stroke. This risk for stroke appears higher in women than in men. In addition, the study found the soda drinkers had higher blood pressure and higher levels of cholesterol and lower physical activity. Those drinking low calorie sodas had a higher incidence of chronic disease and a higher body mass index (BMI).
In contrast, coffee contains chlorogenic acids, lignans and magnesium, all of which act as antioxidants, which in turn may reduce the risk of stroke. One serving of decaffeinated coffee was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of stroke than sugar-sweetened soda.
This study was recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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