A recent global study has shed light on the impact of beverage consumption on stroke risk, revealing that fizzy drinks and certain fruit juices may increase the likelihood of stroke, while water may offer some protection. The INTERSTROKE study, involving almost 27,000 participants across 27 countries, including over 13,000 stroke patients, highlights the importance of dietary choices in stroke prevention.
The Risks of Fizzy Drinks and Fruit Juice
The research indicates that consuming carbonated drinks, both those with sugar and artificial sweeteners, is associated with a 22% higher risk of stroke. This risk escalates significantly with the consumption of two or more fizzy drinks per day. The study also found that fruit juice drinks can increase the odds of a bleeding stroke by 37%, with the risk tripling when individuals consume two or more of these drinks daily. Women appear to be particularly vulnerable to the increased risk of bleeding stroke linked to juice consumption.
Andrew Smyth, a professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Galway in Ireland and lead researcher, cautioned that not all fruit juices are created equal. He advised that freshly squeezed fruit juices are more likely to offer health benefits, while fruit drinks made from concentrates, with added sugars and preservatives, may be harmful. "Our research shows that the chance of stroke increases the more often someone consumes fizzy drinks," Smyth stated.
Coffee, Tea, and Water: A Mixed Bag
Earlier findings from the INTERSTROKE study examined the effects of coffee and tea consumption on stroke risk. The results indicated that moderate coffee consumption is acceptable, but exceeding four cups a day can increase stroke risk by 37%. Tea consumption, on the other hand, showed more promising results. Drinking three to four cups of black tea daily was linked to a 29% lower stroke risk, while the same amount of green tea was associated with a 27% lower risk. However, adding milk to tea may negate the beneficial effects of antioxidants.
Interestingly, the study suggests that increasing water intake may reduce the risk of stroke. Drinking more than seven cups of water a day appears to lower the odds of a stroke caused by a blood clot.
Implications for Stroke Prevention
These findings underscore the importance of lifestyle choices in stroke prevention. While high blood pressure remains the most significant risk factor, dietary modifications can play a crucial role in reducing stroke risk. "As a doctor and as someone who has researched the risk of stroke, we would encourage people to avoid or minimize their consumption of fizzy and fruit drinks, and to consider switching to water instead," Smyth advised.
The research was published in the Journal of Stroke and the International Journal of Stroke.
