Fight the fizz

Soft drinks linked to increased stroke risk, reports Arlene Harris.

We all know that carbonated drinks are not the best thing for our health — excessive drinking of these beverages has been linked to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. But now it seems they could be more of a danger than previously realised.

According to scientists in Japan, women who drink just one fizzy drink a day could be increasing their chances of having a stroke by a shocking 80%. And although it isn’t advisable for men to consume too much of the stuff either, it seems women are more susceptible to blood clots and strokes.