Fizzy drinks increase heart risk Women who drink just two fizzy drinks a day are more likely to develop heart disease warn scientists. According to a study of over 4,000 women aged 45 to 84, those who regularly consume sugary soft drinks are more prone to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and expanding waistlines.
However findings reveal that this pattern does not apply for men.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma compared middle-aged and older women who consumed two or more sugary fizzy drinks or flavoured waters a day to those who drank one or less.
Over a five year period, distinct differences were seen between the two groups as their weight, waist circumference, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels - dangerous blood fats - were monitored.
Women who drank more sweetened beverages were nearly four times as likely to develop high levels of harmful triglyceride blood fats, which can lead to blocked arteries and increase the risk of stroke.
They also stood more chance of growing thick round the middle and their blood sugar was poorly controlled, raising the risk of diabetes.
Lead researcher, Dr Christina Shay, said: 'Women who drank more than two sugar-sweetened drinks a day had increasing waist sizes, but weren't necessarily gaining weight.
'These women also developed high triglycerides and women with normal blood glucose levels more frequently went from having a low risk to a high risk of developing diabetes over time.'
The findings, presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, was part of a bigger heart health investigation called the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (Mesa) which looked at data on 4,166 adults.
Scientists noted that many of the women were not outwardly obese and it was the hidden fat that presented a danger.
Dr Shay added: 'Most people assume that individuals who consume a lot of sugar-sweetened drinks have an increase in obesity, which in turn, increases their risk for heart disease and diabetes.
'Although this does occur, this study showed that risk factors for heart disease and stroke developed even when the women didn't gain weight.'
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the UK's biggest killer and around one in seven women die from the disease.
Dr Shay's team concluded that women may be more likely to risk their health with sugary drinks because they require fewer calories than men. and each calorie counts towards cardiovascular risk.