When the Neuliven Health team speaks about sugar-heavy drinks, we usually focus on obesity and blood sugar spikes. BergaOne’s sister supplement, Glucocil, is designed to promote healthy blood sugar. New research has shown that the drinks are also linked to high levels of triglycerides and low amounts of HDL cholesterol and can increase the risk of heart disease.

Data from about 6,000 people gathered over 12 years showed different beverages impacted fats in the blood in an array of ways. All of the people consumed very similar amounts of calories. The scientists divided the people by if they drank sugar-sweetened drinks, like soda and juice, or if they sipped low-calorie sweetened drinks, such as diet sodas. The folks who drank sugary beverages were at a 53 percent higher risk for developing high levels of triglycerides. They had a 98 percent chance of producing low amounts of “good” cholesterol.  As the “good” cholesterol removes the “bad” type from your bloodstream, having small amounts of it means possible buildups of cholesterol in the blood. That can lead to clogged arteries and poor circulation.

While the study followed people for 12 years, the result was seen around the fourth year. The results were worse for older people in the study. But the authors point out that it could just be that the younger folks would see the same results if they were followed for longer. The research adds to the ever-growing body of thought that says we should avoid sugar for long term health.

It’s fascinating that the people were taking in the same amount of calories and seeing such a significant difference in cholesterol and triglycerides because of beverages. The scientists point out that it could be that people are eating the same amount of calories overall but that the people who aren’t drinking soda aren’t getting as many calories from sugar.    

And the researcher caution that the results shouldn’t push people toward drinking more diet soda. “We are better off quenching our thirst with water,” said Nicola McKeown, an author on the paper and a nutritional epidemiologist. “The emerging research on long-term consumption of diet soda on health is inconclusive, so it is prudent to say diet drinks should only be an occasional indulgence.”

The researchers didn’t see the same heart-health related problems when they looked at people who drank 100 percent fruit juice. But they still caution that it is high in sugar and low in nutrients. “As for 100% fruit juice,” said Prof. McKeown, “best to limit consumption and consume whole fruits when possible.”

Most of us are already aware that soda isn’t good for us. But every new study and find makes us warier. This discovery will give us, and perhaps you, another reason to think about skipping the sports drinks, lemonades and sodas!