A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that regular physical activity does not cancel out the harmful effects of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages. Researchers discovered that even active individuals who consume these drinks face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide.
Sugary Drinks and Heart Disease
Sugar-sweetened beverages, including sodas, fruit cocktails, and sweetened teas, are the largest source of added sugar in North American diets. Consuming these drinks has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
However, many advertisements show active individuals drinking these beverages, creating the impression that exercise can counteract their negative effects.
To test this idea, researchers analyzed data from two large groups of about 100,000 adults, tracking their health for 30 years. They found that people who drank sugary beverages more than twice a week had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, regardless of how much they exercised.
Exercise Helps, But Not Enough
The study confirmed that regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease overall, but it does not fully protect against the damage caused by sugary drinks. While exercise cut the risk in half, it did not eliminate it completely.
This is concerning because drinking sugary beverages even twice a week was linked to an increased risk of heart disease. For those who consumed them daily, the risk was even greater.
What About Diet Drinks?
The study also looked at artificially sweetened beverages, often marketed as healthier alternatives. Unlike sugary drinks, these were not linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the researchers caution that water remains the best option for hydration.
The Takeaway
Lead researcher Dr. Jean-Philippe Drouin-Chartier emphasizes the need to reduce the presence of sugar-sweetened beverages in the food industry. While exercise has many health benefits, it cannot fully undo the damage caused by these drinks.
The findings, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reinforce public health recommendations to limit sugary drink consumption and encourage regular physical activity. The best way to protect heart health is to stay active while also choosing healthier beverages, such as water or unsweetened drinks.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about a breakfast linked to better blood vessel health, and drinking too much coffee could harm people with high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse diabetes.
The research findings can be found in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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