Exercise Won’t Eliminate Heart Risk from Sugary Drinks, Study Finds

Exercise may be great for your heart, but it won’t eliminate the risks caused by sugar-sweetened beverages, a new study finds.

Even getting the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week won’t offset the negative effects of sugary drinks, according to researchers.

Their study included 100,000 adults whose exercise, dietary habits and cardiovascular health were tracked for about 30 years.

The results showed participants who consumed sugary sodas, lemonade and fruit cocktails more than twice a week had higher odds of developing heart disease, regardless of their physical activity level.

The lead researcher says, “Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with sugar-sweetened beverages by half, but it does not fully eliminate it.”

Artificially sweetened beverages, on the other hand, were not associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

The researchers say diet drinks may be a good choice for reducing sugar intake, but water remains the best option.