Concentrate—sugary fruit juices raise stroke risk

Read the label: many ‘healthy’ fruit juices are anything but, and they could be bad for your brain.

Fruit juices that are made from concentrates and added sugars and preservatives increase the risk of stroke by around 37 percent, and the risk triples when you drink two or more of them a day.  Women are especially at risk from drinking the juices, say researchers from the University of Galway.

Sadly, many believe they are choosing a healthy option.  “Not all fruit juices are created equal.  Freshly-squeezed fruit juices are most likely to bring benefits, but fruit drinks made from concentrates may be harmful,” said Andrew Smyth, one of the researchers.

Colas and soda drinks also raise the risk of stroke.  People drinking one drink a day increase their risk by around 22 percent, and it rises further if you’re drinking two or three a day.

The good news is that water can counter some of the bad effects of the sugary drinks.  Drinking seven or more cups of water a day reduces the stroke risk, say the researchers, who analysed stroke risk factors in around 27,000 people in 27 countries as part of the Interstroke research project.

What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community