Posts Tagged Sugar

Do Artificially Sweetened Beverages Affect Stroke and Dementia Risk?

According to a new study published in the journal Stroke, consumption of artificially sweetened soft drinks was associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia.

The authors collected data on the incidence of stroke (2888 participants aged 45 and over) and dementia (1484 participants aged 60 and over) during a 10 year period. As well, participants were given food frequency questionnaires to quantify their intake of artificially sweetened beverages over a 10 year period.

At the end of the 10 year period, the researchers found that the risk of stroke and dementia increased by three times amongst those who consumed one or more artificially sweetened drink daily. Risk of stroke and dementia was also increased in those who consumed a more moderate amount of artificially sweetened drinks per week (0-6 drinks per week), by 2.6 times and 1.7 times respectively.

Evidence continues to mount about the importance of avoiding artificially sweetened drinks (those that contain saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame and sucralose). Choose water instead.

For more information on nutrition, health, or how naturopathic medicine can help you, please call 613-290-6115.

Graham Beaton is a naturopathic doctor practicing in Ottawa.

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Is sugary drink consumption affected by taxation?

Recent evidence suggests that taxing sugary drinks may be an effective way of reducing their consumption. The latest proof, published in 2017 in Health Affairs, examined beverage purchasing trends in Mexico following the implementation of a tax on sugar sweetened drinks.

What was found?
Following the implementation of the tax in 2014 (1 peso per litre on sugar sweetened beverages – equivalent of 7 cents Canadian per litre), purchases of sugar sweetened drinks fell 5.5% that year and 9.7% in 2015.

Why is this important?
Most people don’t realize, but added sugars in foods and beverages can contribute significantly to total daily caloric intake, which in turn raises the risk of weight gain, obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Thus, any decrease in consumption of sugar, may lead to decreased rates of obesity, diabetes and chronic disease.

If you would like to know more about nutrition, food choices, meal planning or how Naturopathic Medicine can help you, please call 613-290-6115.

Graham Beaton is a Naturopathic Doctor working in downtown Ottawa.

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