While many enjoy cracking open a cold cola, recent scientific research warns that frequent consumption of these sugary soft drinks may detract from overall lifespan. Researchers Katerina Stylianou and Olivier Jolliet from Yamagata University, Japan, analyzed thousands of individual foods and beverages using data from the Global Burden of Disease study to assess the health impacts of dietary choices.
Their novel Health Nutritional Index revealed that each serving of cola could reduce healthy life expectancy by approximately 12 minutes. This is attributed mainly to the high sodium and sugar content found in cola drinks, which increase risks for conditions like stroke, gastric cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Participants who consumed cola regularly also tended to exhibit other risk factors such as excessive alcohol use, smoking, and obesity, compounding their health risks. The researchers recommend moderation in cola consumption to reduce exposure to these health hazards.
