THE ESSENTIAL
- Soft drinks, sweetened or sweetened, increase the risk of stroke by 22%, while industrial fruit juices increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 37%, especially in women.
- Coffee consumed in excess (more than 4 cups per day) also increases this risk by 37%. On the other hand, black and green tea, consumed without milk, significantly reduces the risks.
- “Although hypertension remains the main risk factor, our lifestyle, including our beverage choices, can significantly influence our brain health,” summarize the researchers.
Regularly drinking sodas, fruit juice or coffee could considerably increase the risk of stroke, which represents the third cause of death in France. This is according to a new study from the INTERSTROKE project, one of the largest international studies on stroke risk factors, carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Galway and McMaster University, in Canada.
To reach this conclusion, scientists examined the consumption habits of nearly 27,000 people in 27 countries, half of whom had suffered a first stroke. Their results, published in the journals Journal of Stroke et International Journal of Stroke, highlight the negative impact of these drinks on our brain health.
Sodas and concentrated fruit juices increase the risk of stroke
The study reveals that soft drinks, whether sweetened or “zero” that is to say artificially sweetened with sweeteners, increase the risk of stroke by 22%. The increase is even more marked among regular consumers (two or more per day). “The more soft drinks a person consumes, the greater their risk of stroke increases. says Professor Andrew Smyth, co-author of the study, in a press release. As a doctor, I strongly recommend reducing the consumption of sodas and fruit juices, and focusing on water.”
Fruit juices, often seen as a healthy alternative, are not safe either. Drinks made from concentrates, high in added sugars, increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 37% – a risk that triples with two drinks per day, particularly in women. “Not all fruit juices are created equal. Freshly squeezed juices probably provide more benefits”even if they remain too sweet, warns the researcher.
To preserve the brain, be careful of excess coffee
Sodas and concentrated juices are not the only drinks that are harmful to our brain. According to the study, excessive coffee consumption (more than four cups per day) increases the risk of stroke by 37%, while moderate amounts have no noticeable effect. On the other hand, tea, particularly black and green tea, reduces this risk: drinking three to four cups per day of black tea or green tea reduces the risk of stroke by 29% and 27% respectively. Note, however, that adding milk to tea could cancel out these benefits, by reducing the action of the antioxidants present in the drink.
“While hypertension remains the leading risk factor, our lifestyle, including our beverage choices, can significantly influence our brain health”summarize the researchers. So, to quench your thirst while protecting your brain, why not opt for a glass of water or green tea rather than yet another can of soda or cup of coffee?
