Soda Linked To Increased Metabolic Syndrome Risk

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased among middle-aged adults who regularly drink carbonated soft drinks (even soda that is calorie-free), new research suggests. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of several cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excess fat around the abdomen and glucose intolerance, a condition in which the body can no longer process sugar in the blood that often precedes diabetes. Researchers found that the subjects who consumed one or more soft drinks per day had a 48-percent higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to whose who drank less. Drinking soft drinks also increased the incidence of each component of the metabolic syndrome. Reduce your soft drink consumption and switch to healthier beverages to avoid this risk.