Drinking two liters or more per week of artificially sweetened beverages – the equivalent of a medium fast-food diet soda per day – increases the risk of irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, by 20%, according to a new study.
Known as A-fib, atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat often described by many who experience it as a “flutter” or “vibration” of the heart.
Drinking about 120 ml of pure, unsweetened juices, such as orange or vegetable juice, was associated with an 8% lower risk of atrial fibrillation, the study showed.
“We still need more research on these beverages to confirm these findings and to fully understand all the implications for heart disease and other health conditions,” said Kris-Etherton, a member of the nutrition committee of the American Heart Association, to CNN.
“However, water is the best choice, and based on this study, low-calorie or artificially sweetened beverages should be limited or avoided,” he added.
Atrial fibrillation is dangerous and on the rise
Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of stroke in the United States. Furthermore, strokes associated with atrial fibrillation tend to be “more severe than strokes with other underlying causes,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Atrial fibrillation can also lead to blood clots, heart failure, and can increase the risk of heart attack, dementia, and kidney disease.
Nearly 40 million people worldwide live with atrial fibrillation, 6 million of whom are in the United States, according to the Heart Rhythm Society, which represents over 7,000 specialists in heart rhythm disorders across more than 90 countries.
Many of these individuals experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. But for others, A-fib is asymptomatic, meaning it is a silent, potentially fatal condition. Once detected, however, the condition can be treated with medications, lifestyle changes, and, if necessary, surgeries to slow down or restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
The rate of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. population is growing: the CDC estimates that about 12 million Americans will have atrial fibrillation by 2030.
The obesity epidemic is also contributing to the rising numbers, along with other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Source: CNN