Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Soda Consumption And Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Study
79,570 women from The Nurses’ Health Study and 107,330 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II cohort were divided into groups according to their consumption of soda and followed for over 20 years. The number of new diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in each group was compared at the end of follow-up. Women who consumed 1 or more sodas per day had a 63% increased risk of developing seropositive RA (the most common form) when compared to those consuming less than 1 serving of soda per month. Diet soda was not associated with risk of RA. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2014; 100:959-67.

Take Home Message
This study provides further evidence that sugar sweetened beverages, like soda, can have a powerful impact on our health. Soda may increase inflammation and reduce insulin sensitivity, which the authors believe explains the increase in RA among the soda drinkers. Strictly limit consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, and all added sugars for that matter.

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