A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine on January 26 shows that diet soda is linked to heart disease risks. The research was performed on various people who prefer diet drinks at the place of regular soda. Results have shown that those who drink diet soda on a regular basis may suffer from stroke and heart attack.

According to Hannah Gardener, an epidemiologist at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, there seems to be a connection between the consumption of low-sugar soda and vascular affections. The test, which was performed on 2,564 participants in the Northern Manhattan Study, was meant to identify the factors that cause heart illnesses, to determine the incidence of stroke and to issue a prognosis for a multiethnic urban population.

Each respondent had to answer a series of questions in relation to how often they consume soft drinks, whether they prefer diet or normal beverages and the number of heart affections and illnesses they have suffered in the past ten years. Pre-existing conditions were also taken into consideration knowing that patients with diabetes and high blood pressure are prone to suffer from heart diseases. 

The study revealed that people who drink diet soda every day are 43 percent more likely to have suffered a stroke or heart attack, or died of heart disease, as opposed to those who drink normal sodas. Those who drink low-sugar beverages once or twice a month, as well as, those who drink regular sodas, are not prone to such illnesses.

Scientists find the research very useful due to the nature of the discoveries they have made. However, they believe further researches have to be performed in order to determine how soft drinks affect a person’s risk of heart disease. Gardener concluded the interview saying that the findings of the current studies are not enough for scientists to claim that diet soda is dangerous for people, but they will continue their research.