Hard truths on soft drinks

Chennai: With summer already here, there is a constant need to quench our thirst. As there are a variety of options, many tend to depend on artificially sweetened drinks as well — like the readily available soft drinks. However, doctors and nutritionists urge the public to refrain from the consumption of the same due to serious ill health implications associated with it. Health experts have been actively encouraging food and drink companies to use low-calorie sweeteners as an alternative to sugar and help people manage their weight.

A study published in the ‘Stroke’, the journal of the American Heart Association, has said that ‘drinking at least one artificially sweetened beverage daily is associated with almost three times the risk of developing a stroke or dementia compared to those who drank artificially sweetened beverages less than once a week’. But this study gained the attention of a number of critics who warned against the causal connection.

However, they also stressed on the fact that its various health implications cannot be ignored. “As a result of the increased consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks, and the lack of any movement, the risk of fatty liver is high, leading to the development of a condition called liver cirrhosis, causing end-stage liver disease,” said Dr Dinesh Jothimani, Senior Consultant Liver Transplant Physician, Global Hospital.

Stating that there is also the possibility of developing a stroke due to the over consumption of such artificially sweetened drinks, Dr Halprashanth, Neurologist, Gleneagles Global Health City, said, “All canned drinks contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause a problem in the metabolism – as more sugar is carbohydrate, which will get stored as fat. If you don’t burn that fat by indulging in any physical activity, it will cause the early onset of obesity and that in turn can cause a stroke, heart attack or other problems related to vascular risk factors.”

With a number of youngsters found to be indulging in the consumption of a variety of artificially sweetened drinks, with absolutely no exercise, doctors say the burden of liver cirrhosis among the lower age group is seen to be high. “The only way to avoid any complication is to refrain from such temptations. One should exercise regularly to improve the liver’s functioning,” said Dr P. Basumani, Medical Gastroenterologist at Fortis Malar Hospital.