Consuming two liters of diet soda or other artificially sweetened drinks a day can increase the risk of a dangerous irregular heartbeat by 20% compared with people who drink none, according to a new study by researchers in China.

The study, conducted in Shanghai, found that individuals who consume such beverages are more susceptible to a condition known as atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic quivering of the top chambers of the heart that can disrupt the regular heartbeat rhythm, as described by Theodore Maglione, an assistant professor of medicine and a cardiologist specializing in cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias.

Common symptoms of atrial fibrillation, or “A-fib,” include fatigue, shortness of breath, and palpitations.

While genetics and age play a role in A-fib, there are modifiable risk factors, including smoking, hypertension, sleep apnea, obesity, and nutrition.

Optimizing blood pressure and maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle are critical to managing A-fib, as highlighted by Maglione.

Diet and exercise have shown to decrease recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation following certain procedures.

“The jury’s not out on whether the low-calorie or zero-calorie sodas with artificial sweeteners are any healthier than the conventional for-calorie sodas,” stated Maglione.

Avoiding foods high in cholesterol and fat and engaging in regular exercise are vital for individuals with A-fib.

Even a modest weight loss has been associated with significantly lower recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation after treatment.

A-fib can lead to blood clots, strokes, and other heart-related complications.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability, and atrial fibrillation is the primary cause of stroke in the United States, according to the US’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Given the increased risk for individuals above 65 for heart conditions such as A-fib and stroke, following a healthy lifestyle becomes even more crucial.

Furthermore, there is some evidence linking atrial fibrillation to early dementia later in life.

The recent study also examined the impact of added-sugar beverages and pure unsweetened juices on the risk of A-fib.

Added-sugar beverages were found to raise the risk of A-fib by 10%, while consuming approximately four ounces of pure unsweetened juices lowered the risk by 8%.

Penny Kris-Etherton, a nutritional sciences professor at Penn State University, remarked, “This is the first study to report an association between no- and low-calorie sweeteners and also sugar-sweetened beverages and increased risk of atrial fibrillation.”

Maglione emphasized the importance of being vigilant in matters related to the heart.

“If you feel any symptoms of irregular heartbeat or palpitations, seek out medical care,” conveyed Maglione. “Because usually with earlier intervention, we can be more successful in treatment and preventing any of the things like stroke from occurring.”