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Diet Soda's Dark Side: Heart Attacks, Strokes

But more research needed, some caution

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2011 9:13 AM CST | Updated Feb 13, 2011 5:48 PM CST

(Newser) – The well-documented evils of soda have led many people to switch to diet—but even that could be bad for your health, a new study suggests. About 2,500 adults in the New York area were studied for almost 10 years, and those who drank diet soda every day had a 48% higher risk of stroke or heart attack than those who drank no soda at all. Oddly, those who drank both diet and regular soda weren’t found to have any significant differences in risk. One doctor says the findings should be “a wake-up call to pay attention to diet sodas,” but a lead researcher cautions that this study is “too preliminary to suggest any dietary advice” and that more research is called for.

Doctors have no chemical or biological explanation for why diet soda may be risky. The study accounted for other risk factors including high blood pressure, smoking, waistline size, and more, and did not see a change in the risk, the AP reports. The American Beverage Association notes, however, that the study failed to adjust for a family history of stroke. Click for more reasons you should skip sugar-free treats ... or an opposing viewpoint on why you shouldn't worry.

In this April 27, 2010 file photo, Diet Cokes sit in an ice chest in a Hallendale, Fla. park.
In this April 27, 2010 file photo, Diet Cokes sit in an ice chest in a Hallendale, Fla. park.   (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 45 comments
ianpenk
Feb 18, 2011 7:35 AM CST
This just shows how illegitimate news coverage of scientific studies is. They took an associative study and cause a scare in the population. Now I'm not for diet soda or soda in general, but I am for the correct portrayal of scientific conclusions.
Brad None
Feb 13, 2011 11:50 PM CST
They do know the reason! A diet cola has a PH of about 2. Your blood needs to be at 7-7.5 for best health, and over a 6 to be healthy at all. When you drink something that has a PH level of 2 and you should be a 7, that means your going to make it easier for your body to fail you. Coffee on average is around 4.5 as is beer. Whole juice is best for you and good spring water. Balance is everything
Kookey90
Feb 13, 2011 11:15 PM CST
Hmm, I'd be dead by now.
 

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