Women who drink one or more sugary beverages daily face increase heart disease risk by 20%*
“Drinking at least one sugary beverage daily was associated with a 21 percent higher likelihood of having a stroke,”
Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance
Sugar and heart health: drink less sugary drinks
Sugar and heart health News. Drinking sugar‐sweetened beverages has been associated with heart disease risk. Researchers have shared new findings that connect drinking sugary drinks to cardiovascular disease. That includes both heart attack and stroke risk.
The study has just been published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The researchers studied nearly 107,000 women. The average age of the study participant was 52. None of the study participants were previously diagnosed with heart disease, stroke or diabetes.
Women who drank the most sugary drinks were younger according to the study’s researchers. They were more likely to be smokers. There was a higher likelihood of obesity. The women were less likely to consumer a diet rich in protein, fruit and vegetables.
21 percent higher risk of having a stroke
Drinking soft drinks daily was associated with a 23 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The study compared the higher risk against women who rarely or never drank sugary beverages.
“Drinking at least one sugary beverage daily was associated with a 21 percent higher likelihood of having a stroke, compared with women who rarely or never drank sugar-laden drinks.,” shares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, an industry association. “Drinking one or more sugary beverages per day was associated with a 26 percent higher likelihood of needing a heart-related procedure such as angioplasty.”
The lead researcher noted that sugar may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in several ways. The study author was Cheryl A.M. Anderson, PhD, MPH, MS, professor and interim chair of family and public health at the University of California, San Diego. Anderson is chair of the American Heart Association’s Nutrition Committee.
“It [sugar] raises glucose levels and insulin concentrations in the blood, which may increase appetite and lead to obesity, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” Anderson said in a press release accompanying the study.
Sugar and heart health recommendations: The American Heart Association recommends that women don’t exceed six (6) teaspoons (25 grams) of sugar per day. One typical 12-ounce sugary soda contains 8 teaspoons (34 grams) of sugar.
Most women will survive a heart attack
“Avoid having a heart attack is desirable. But every 40 seconds one American has a heart attack,” Slome shares. “Today you are likely to survive. But how will you pay rent or your mortgage while you take time to recover?” A Harvard report shares that 90 percent today survive heart attacks.
Look for a modest critical illness insurance policy. Get costs for one that provides $10,000 to as much as $25,000. You want a lump-sum cash payment following a qualifying heart attack diagnosis. “Use the money to pay for costs not covered by your health insurance, your rent or other bills that will just keep on coming,” Slome notes. Use the Association’s instant Cost Calculator to see estimates for costs.
Tips for heart attacks and critical illness insurance planning
Firstly access information on the Association’s website. Read more about what is critical illness insurance?
Learn the benefits of an affordable cancer insurance option. Find a critical illness insurance plan that offers both options.
Discover expert tips that will help you compare critical illness insurance coverage. Beyond just cost, there are differences between policies.
* Journal of American Heart Association, May 13, 2020
Additional recommendations
If you are between 50 and 60 learn more about long-term care insurance from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.
Find local Medicare insurance advisors near me on the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance’s free national directory lookup.
