Diet drinks boost risk of dangerous heart condition by 20%, study says

Drinking artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened beverages may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (A-fib), according to a new study. A-fib is an irregular heartbeat commonly described as a flutter, quiver, or flip-flop sensation. The study found that consuming two liters or more of artificially sweetened beverages per week raised the risk of A-fib by 20%, while consuming a similar amount of sugar-sweetened beverages increased the risk by 10%. However, drinking unsweetened juices was associated with an 8% lower risk of A-fib. The study recommends reducing or avoiding these beverages and opting for water instead. A-fib is a leading cause of stroke and can lead to various long-term health risks.