Drinking artificially sweetened beverages, such as diet sodas, has been found to be linked to a higher risk of irregular heartbeat, according to a new study. The research also revealed that consuming similar amounts of sugar-sweetened drinks was associated with a 10% increase in risk. Adults who reported drinking at least 2 liters, or roughly 67 ounces, of sweetened drinks per week experienced these jumps in risk compared to those who consumed none.
The study, published in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, analyzed self-reported diet data from approximately 202,000 individuals in the U.K. Biobank. Over an average period of nearly 10 years for each participant, the researchers monitored the development of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of arrhythmia where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly. AFib can lead to blood clots, heart failure, and is the leading cause of stroke.
While the study found an association between these beverages and irregular heartbeats, it cannot definitively conclude that sugar or artificial sweeteners directly cause the heart condition. However, individuals who consumed the equivalent of one 12-ounce artificially sweetened drink per day had the highest risk of AFib compared to those who did not consume sweetened beverages. These drinks were sweetened with ingredients such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame.
Interestingly, adults who drank 1 liter (34 ounces) or less of pure juice with no added sugars, such as 100% orange or vegetable juice, had an 8% lower risk of AFib than those who consumed artificially sweetened beverages. Penny Kris-Etherton, a member of the American Heart Association’s nutrition committee, stated that this is the first study to report an association between no- and low-calorie sweeteners and increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
While there is robust evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to cardiovascular disease risk, there is less evidence regarding the adverse health consequences of artificial sweeteners. Some evidence has linked beverages made with sugar substitutes to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, in 2023, an arm of the World Health Organization declared aspartame a “possible carcinogen,” although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration disagrees with this classification.
It is important to note that this study only observed people’s beverage consumption habits and cannot establish a causal relationship between artificial sweeteners or sugar and AFib. There may be underlying factors that predispose individuals to both drink more diet soda and have the heart condition.
Lead study author Dr. Ningjian Wang suggests that the mechanisms linking sweetened beverages and atrial fibrillation risk are still unclear, but possible explanations include insulin resistance and the body’s response to different sweeteners. More research is needed to confirm these findings and fully understand the health consequences of these beverages on heart disease and other conditions.
In the meantime, it is recommended to limit or avoid no- and low-calorie sweetened beverages, and opt for water as the best choice. While this study provides valuable insights, it is important to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice.
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Remember, this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice.
