If your goal is to lower your risk of stroke and heart attack, there’s one type of drink doctors most consistently warn about:
🥤 Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
This includes:
-
Regular soda
-
Sweet tea
-
Energy drinks
-
Sweetened fruit drinks (not 100% juice)
-
Flavored coffee drinks loaded with syrup
🫀 Why They Increase Risk
Drinks high in added sugar can:
1️⃣ Raise Blood Pressure
High sugar intake is linked to higher systolic blood pressure.
2️⃣ Increase Triglycerides
Elevated triglycerides raise cardiovascular risk.
3️⃣ Promote Weight Gain
Liquid calories don’t fill you up, leading to excess calorie intake.
4️⃣ Increase Insulin Resistance
This raises the risk of type 2 diabetes — a major stroke risk factor.
5️⃣ Increase Inflammation
Chronic inflammation contributes to artery damage.
⚠️ What About Energy Drinks?
High caffeine + sugar combinations may:
-
Spike blood pressure
-
Increase heart rate
-
Trigger abnormal rhythms in sensitive individuals
Frequent use is not heart-friendly.
🍺 Alcohol: Also a Risk Factor
Heavy alcohol intake increases:
-
Blood pressure
-
Risk of atrial fibrillation
-
Stroke risk
Light to moderate drinking may be tolerated for some adults, but more is not better.
✅ Better Drink Choices
-
Water (best overall)
-
Sparkling water with lemon
-
Unsweetened tea (green or black)
-
Black coffee (in moderation)
-
100% vegetable juices (low sodium)
🧠 Important
Stroke and heart attack risk are strongly influenced by:
-
Blood pressure
-
Cholesterol
-
Diabetes
-
Smoking
-
Physical activity
Drinks matter — but they’re part of a bigger picture.
If you’d like, tell me:
-
Do you currently drink soda, energy drinks, or alcohol regularly?