Can frequent consumption of soft drinks promote metabolic syndrome?

The frequent consumption of soft drinks, whether regular or diet, is associated with obesity and increased risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. A team of researchers at Harvard analyzed consumption of soft drinks in more than 6,000 individuals participating in the Framingham Heart Study. Their results are astounding. Drinking one or more soft drinks per day was associated with several conditions.

Component of the metabolic syndrome risk and the increased risk
Increased waist circumference: 30%
Elevated blood sugar: 25%
High blood pressure (≥135/85 mm Hg or on treatment): 18%
High triglycerides: 25%
Low HDL cholesterol: 32%
Overall incidence of metabolic syndrome: 44%

Presumably individuals who drink soda, with sugar or without, tend to have a greater intake of calories, consume more saturated and trans fats, consume less fiber, and have a more sedentary lifestyle. And, despite the fact that diet soda has zero calories, the findings are not entirely surprising, because previous studies on diet soft drinks have linked them to weight gain and high blood pressure. Diet sodas are thought to lead to a stronger dietary preference for sweeter foods, as well as to disrupt appetite control.

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