The worldwide intake of sugar-sweetened beverages is rising around the world, and so is cardiac and stroke risk.

It looks as though there is enough evidence to support a connection between patients that drink sweetened drinks and patients that develop metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Having this syndrome puts you at risk for heart problems and strokes.

The research authors show that they may be linked in many ways involving insulin resistance, fat accumulation around the liver, and obesity.

In fact, one study showed that by decreasing sugar sweetened drink consumption by as little as 10 to 12 per cent could help lower the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

You can read about this review of previous studies in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

(ABC)