What Drinking Soda Says About Your Heart

See those people in the soda aisle? They all have something in common: a higher risk of heart disease. And you may be one of them, even if you drink only one 12-ounce soft drink daily -- be it regular or diet.

Why? Drinking one or more can of soda per day is associated with a higher incidence of heart disease risk factors. In fact, soda is associated with a whole avalanche of trouble, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides as well as increased belly fat and low levels of healthy cholesterol (HDL). This cluster of problems is often called metabolic syndrome.

So what's in soda that's so bad for your ticker? Might be nothing, actually. It's possible that people who frequent the soda aisle may simply share other unhealthful habits. Like chasing the fizz with candy and chips. Or skipping their workouts. Then again, there could be some ingredient in both diet and regular soda, such as colorings or flavor additives, that aren't so good for your body.

If you love a soda now and then, do a quick whole-health inventory before cracking one open. Make sure you're not doing anything else that could potentially boost your blood pressure, blood sugar, waist size, triglycerides, or cholesterol. And consider tea or coffee when you need a low-cal pick-me-up. Hot or iced, both are overflowing with heart-healthy antioxidants. And of course, for the ultimate in thirst quenching, nothing beats water.