Consumption of sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas are associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2012 May;95(5):1190-9

Study title and authors:
Soda consumption and the risk of stroke in men and women.

Bernstein AM, de Koning L, Flint AJ, Rexrode KM, Willett WC.
Wellness Institute of Cleveland Clinic, Lyndhurst, OH 44124, USA. bernsta2@ccf.org

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22492378

The study examined the relationship between soda consumption and the risk of stroke. Data was extracted from two studies:
(i) The Nurses' Health Study, a study of 84,085 women followed for 28 years.
(ii) The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, a study of 43,371 men followed for 22 years.

The data revealed:
(a) Those who consumed one or more serving per day of sugar-sweetened soda had a 16% increased risk of stroke compared to those who consumed none.
(b) Those who consumed one or more serving per day of low-calorie soda had a 16% increased risk of stroke compared to those who consumed none.

This analysis of over three million person-years of follow-up shows that a greater consumption of sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas is associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke.