Another Reason to Avoid Soft Drinks
Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 6:14AM
We know that sugary soft drinks can promote weight gain, but they also can worsen arthritis of the knee, particularly in men. This association was revealed in an analysis of data from more than 2,100 men and women participating in a large osteoarthritis study who had provided information on their eating habits, including their soft drink consumption. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Tufts Medical Center in Boston and Brown University in Providence tracked the participants at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after the study began. After taking into consideration other possible contributing factors to osteoarthritis, including body mass index, they found that knee arthritis worsened most among men who consumed the most soft drinks per week compared to men who didn’t drink sodas. Surprisingly, among the men, those with lower BMIs who consumed the most soft drinks had greater progression of their osteoarthritis than men whose BMI was higher. Among the women, a link between soft drink consumption and arthritis progression showed up only in those whose BMI was lowest. The researchers said that they hadn’t determined if the increased arthritis progression was due to the calories in the soft drinks or some other soft drink component. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in early November 2012.
Reader Comments (5)
Studies have shown that carbonated drinks (not just those containing sugar) has also been known for causing skin problems. One should try and replace it if carbonated water. Carbonated water has not actually been proven to harm your skin. You can even rinse your skin with carbonated water (known to be more hydrating than rinsing with normal water) and it can increase your skin's lipid levels.
Wow, I didn't know soft drinks were that bad. I mean, I knew about the weight gain factor but never imagined they could be associated with arthritis.
This doesn't surprise me at all. Soft drinks really are nothing more than an addictive chemical cocktail.
Now I have another good reason to tell my children not to drink soda.
As usual you always have so many healthy tips.
Michael C Craven
Chicago divorce lawyer
I know that drinking soft drinks can add weight but other sickness? This is out of my knowledge. Thanks for this post now I have all the reason to minimized drinking soft drinks.