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Minimizing sugar intake is standard first-line advice given by doctors to reduce the risk of heart disease. But new research suggests that drinks with artificial sweeteners may also increase your chances of developing heart disease.

The study was published in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal. Circulation: Arrhythmia and electrophysiology at the beginning of march, Researchers have discovered that drinking artificially sweetened beverages may increase your risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib for short). Irregular heartbeats are a hallmark of the disease and can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

While this may not be the sweetest news you’ve heard today, especially if you prefer artificially sweetened drinks, cardiologists say studies like this one are important.

“Research on how diet affects the heart can help us choose foods that help the heart rather than hurt it,” she explains. Dr.Dr. Majid Basit, Cardiologist at Memorial Hermann in Houston.

What about artificial sweeteners and heart health? A cardiologist reveals what we need to know and offers advice on heart-healthy drinks.

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First of all, what are artificial sweeteners?

Before diving into new research, it may be helpful to have a primer on what artificial sweeteners are and what you often see on ingredient lists. That way, you can make the most informed choice possible. “Artificial sweeteners, also known as sugar substitutes, are food additives that mimic the sweetness of sugar but contain little or no calories,” she explains. Dr. Dr. Chen-Han Chen, He is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. “Examples of artificial sweeteners listed on the ingredient list include aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose.”

It also reduces the chance of blood sugar spikes. “These are especially important for diabetics who cannot properly regulate their blood sugar levels,” Dr. Baijit added. Unfortunately, diabetes can increase your chances of developing heart disease, according to the CDC.

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About research

To conduct the study, researchers looked at data from more than 200,000 adults who did not have AFib at the time and who participated in a huge medical database called the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010. Ta. They monitored participants for about 10 years, 9,362 adults to be exact. They had atrial fibrillation by the end.

We have others, too. Other important findings include:

• People who drank two or more liters of artificially sweetened beverages each week were 20% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than those who didn’t.

• Did anyone else consume the same amount of sugary drinks? They had a 10% higher risk of being diagnosed with AFib.

• It was found that drinking less than 1 liter of unsweetened juice like OJ reduced the risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 8%.

Does your head spin? The TL;DR is: “This study highlights the larger issue of how a poor diet, including sugary or artificially sweetened drinks, can lead to future heart disease.” ” says Dr. Basit.

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Diet Coke Every Day

However, there are some caveats.

“As with any observational study, we cannot directly determine cause and effect,” Dr. Chen explains. “This study does not show that consumption of these beverages causes atrial fibrillation. Patients who consume sweetened beverages may have other confounding factors that lead to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. ”

Why might artificially sweetened drinks increase the chance of atrial fibrillation? That’s also up in the air. “It is unclear how artificially sweetened beverages increase the risk of atrial fibrillation,” Dr. Chen says. “One possibility is that changes in blood sugar levels, or perhaps the artificial sweetener compounds themselves, affect inflammation in blood vessels, which can cause scarring and other changes in the heart, impacting the risk of atrial fibrillation. It means there is a possibility of giving.”

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Tips for choosing heart-healthy drinks

We often talk about the types of foods you should eat to improve your heart health, such as green leafy vegetables and omega-3s. But what you drink is also important. If you like drinks with artificial sweeteners, they’re not completely off the menu.

“When consuming beverages containing sugar or sugar substitutes, it’s important to stay in moderation,” says Dr. Basit. “One or two small 8-ounce glasses a day is the limit.”

when Drinking drinks can also help you adhere to this recommendation (and even boost your energy levels). “Try to drink drinks outside of mealtimes,” says Dr. Basit. “Sugar and sugar substitutes can affect the way your body processes fat. Meals containing these drinks can cause lethargy and fat storage.”

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Still, your best bet is to consume drinks with less sugar or no sugar at all. “In general, it’s healthier to choose drinks with a lower sugar content, less than 5 grams per serving,” Dr. Chen says. “Some heart-healthy drinks may include plain water, sparkling water, low-fat or skim milk, or milk alternatives.”

Dr. Chen says milk alternatives to consider include soy, almond, rice, and oat milk (prefer unsweetened versions). Let’s be honest, water can be a little boring. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. “For those who want to make the most of the deliciousness of hot water, [one] easy [way] to add flavor [is] To add fresh ingredients. ”

Think orange, lemon, and lime slices. Cucumbers have a refreshing taste, while berries like strawberries and raspberries add natural sweetness.

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