More Than One Soda a Day – Diet or Not – Is Risky

Contrary to what we’ve always said, maybe calories aren’t absolutely everything. A study published online in the journal Circulation has caused some consternation. An analysis of data from the offspring group of the Framingham Heart Study shows that one or more soft drinks a day is linked to a 48% higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome* than seen in those who drinks them infrequently. And the incidence of the metabolic syndrome remains increased over 4 years of follow-up.

But what causes consternation is the finding that both regular and diet soda appear to carry similar metabolic hazards. We would expect diet soda, with no calories and no sugar, would lead to less frequent instances of the metabolic syndrome.

How can these results come about? There are several possible explanations. Perhaps taking sweet drinks (sugared or artificially sweetened) increases one’s preference for other sweetened foods and drinks – gives one ‘a sweet tongue’. And just drinking sodas is associated with increased intake of saturated and trans-fats, and a more sedentary lifestyle. Another theory – the brown caramel in sodas has been linked to tissue damage and inflammation in lab studies.

Consumption of soft drinks doubled to tripled between 1977 and 2001, and the size of drinks has increased enormously. It seems it would be better to switch to water –that’s tap water, of course. . .

* The metabolic syndrome is 3 or more of the following: waist 35+ inches (women) or 40+ (men); fasting glucose 100+ mg/dL; triglycerides 150= mg/dL; blood pressure over 135/85 mm Hg,; HDL-cholesterol below 40 mg/dL (men) or50 mg/dl (women).