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Alteration of Stroke Risk: Beverages with Mixed Effects on Health

Sudden strokes often appear unexpectedly. However, the risk of experiencing one increases twofold every decade starting at age 55. Poor habits further increase this risk. It's common to know someone who seemingly suffered a stroke out of nowhere. yet, it might not have been a random event....

Sudden Strokes Appear to Be Unanticipated, Yet Risk Doubles Every Decade Past Age 55. Harmful...
Sudden Strokes Appear to Be Unanticipated, Yet Risk Doubles Every Decade Past Age 55. Harmful Lifestyle Choices Amplify the Risk Even More. However, We All Know Someone Who Seems to Have Suffered One Unexpectedly. Perhaps It Was Actually Their Regular Beverage That Played a Role. Or Perhaps Not?

Alteration of Stroke Risk: Beverages with Mixed Effects on Health

Stroke Risk and Consumption of Sodas and Fruit Drinks

A stroke can be unexpected, but research indicates that the risk doubles every decade after the age of 55. Lifestyle factors such as a diet high in saturated fats, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking can exacerbate this risk. However, it is essential to understand that seemingly random strokes may not be entirely random, as emerging science sheds light on less assumed factors impacting stroke risk.

This newfound knowledge pertains particularly to beverages such as sodas and fruit drinks. A study conducted under the INTERSTROKE project analyzed the correlation between their frequent consumption and stroke risk. The project involved nearly 27,000 people across 27 countries, including almost 13,500 stroke patients.

The results showed a 22% increased chance of stroke associated with the consumption of fizzy drinks, both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened. The risk increased even more for those consuming two or more of these drinks a day.

Fruit juice drinks, on the other hand, were found to increase the chance of stroke due to brain bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) by 37%. For those consuming two or more of these drinks daily, the risk tripled, with women showing a higher susceptibility than men.

While coffee consumption of more than four cups a day increased the stroke risk by 37%, tea was associated with a decrease in stroke risk by 18 to 20%. The results were even more specific regarding tea types and additives:

  • Black tea, such as Breakfast or Earl Grey, was linked to a 29% lower stroke risk when consumed 3-4 times a day.
  • Green or herbal teas, with fewer studies available, still demonstrated nearly comparable efficacy, reducing stroke risk by 27%.
  • Adding milk may neutralize or diminish the beneficial effects of antioxidants found in tea. In fact, the reduced stroke risk from drinking tea was lost for those adding milk.

In the ongoing struggle to recognize and prevent strokes, it is worth noting that among the risk factors is older age. The number of strokes in people under 65 has increased by 15% in recent years, and this increase may be related to the growing number of people with type 2 diabetes aged 45 to 64.

Sweeteners like xylitol and erythritol, despite being marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar, promote blood clot formation. It is advisable to reach for water, modest amounts of coffee and tea, as indicated by the INTERSTROKE study.

Remember, action is crucial when a stroke occurs - every minute counts towards recovery or permanent disability or death. To remember the signs of a stroke, use the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.:

  • Balance: Trouble with balance or coordination
  • Eyes: Sudden blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes
  • Face: One side of the face is drooping
  • Arms: Weakness in one arm, which drifts down when both arms are raised
  • Speech: Slurred or hard-to-understand speech, or the inability to speak at all
  • Time: If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately

Editor's note: There are natural ways to reduce the risk of blood clots, including certain vitamins, antioxidants, and herbs. Discover more secrets of long-lived hearts by clicking here for Hushed Up Natural Heart Cures and Common Misconceptions of Popular Heart Treatments!

Sources:- Frequent fizzy or fruit drinks and high coffee consumption linked to higher stroke risk - Eureka Alert- Carbonated Beverage, Fruit Drink, and Water Consumption and Risk of Acute Stroke: the INTERSTROKE Case-Control Study - Journal of Stroke- B.E. F.A.S.T. to Spot a Stroke - universityhealth.com

[1] Carbonated Beverage, Fruit Drink, and Water Consumption and Risk of Acute Stroke: the INTERSTROKE Case-Control Study - Journal of Stroke[2] Fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, obesity, positive and negative energy balances, dietary salt intake, smoking, physical activity, and lifestyle score: associations with risk of stroke and transient ischaemic attack with the INTERSTROKE study: a prospective study - BMJ[3] Aspirin and Stroke Prevention: Intake, Exposure, and Safety - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition[4] Cognitive Function, Glycemic Control, Mediation Factors, and Impacts of Diet Soda [Intake on Cognitive Function Over Time: The Framingham Heart Study - Nutrients[5] Diet Soda, Functional Foods, and Obesity - Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

  1. Embracing a healthy lifestyle is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease and neurological disorders.
  2. Science continuously uncovers less assumed factors affecting our health and wellness, such as the impact of beverage consumption on stroke risk.
  3. In the sprawling landscape of science, emerging research reveals the link between frequent consumption of sodas and fruit drinks and an increased chance of stroke.
  4. The study, conducted under the INTERSTROKE project, analyzed nearly 27,000 participants across 27 countries, including over 13,500 stroke patients.
  5. The findings showed a 22% increased stroke risk associated with fizzy drink consumption, be it sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened.
  6. The risk for those consuming two or more fizzy drinks daily escalated even further.
  7. Fruit juice drinks, on the other hand, were found to elevate the risk of brain bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) by 37%.
  8. Intriguingly, women showed a higher susceptibility to this stroke risk than men.
  9. The study also underscored the importance of nutrition in managing health risks, as coffee consumption of more than four cups a day increased the stroke risk by 37%.
  10. In a striking contrast, tea was associated with a decrease in stroke risk, by 18 to 20%.
  11. The benefits of tea were even more specific regarding tea types and additives: black tea (such as Breakfast or Earl Grey) revealed a 29% lower stroke risk when consumed 3-4 times a day.
  12. Green or herbal teas, while less studied, still demonstrated nearly comparable efficacy, reducing stroke risk by 27%.
  13. Adding milk may negate or diminish the beneficial effects of antioxidants found in tea, as the reduced stroke risk from drinking tea was lost for those adding milk.
  14. The relationship between our lifestyle and health is inextricable, and emerging science sheds light on this link, illuminating factors that could help prevent strokes.
  15. The growing number of people with type 2 diabetes aged 45 to 64 may contribute to the increase in strokes among those under 65.
  16. Alternative sweeteners like xylitol and erythritol, marketed as healthier options, promote blood clot formation and should be approached with caution.
  17. The retail industry must adapt to offering more health-conscious alternatives, furthering education on the impact of dietary choices on our health and well-being.
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  22. Fitness and exercise are integral to maintaining a healthy heart and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and are especially important as we age.
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