A major Swedish study released on Monday revealed that drinking sweetened beverages can raise the risk of severe cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The research also found that excessive intake of added sugars increases the likelihood of stroke or aneurysm.

However, the study suggests that moderate consumption of sugary treats can be safe. "Sweetened drinks are more detrimental to health than any other type of sugar," the study stated, as published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.

According to Suzanne Janzi, a doctoral candidate at Lund University, sweetened beverages, which contain liquid sugars, "usually offer less satiety compared to solid forms." She noted that this lack of fullness can result in people feeling less satisfied, "potentially leading to overconsumption." Furthermore, unlike treats that are "typically enjoyed in social settings or on special occasions," sweetened drinks may be consumed more frequently.

In order to know how sugar intake influences the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the research team gathered data from two large studies with a total of 69,705 participants.The study assessed the association between different sources of sugar, such as honey, pastries, and sweetened beverages like soda, and seven types of cardiovascular diseases: two forms of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, aortic aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, and aortic stenosis.

Over a 10-year follow-up period, 25,739 participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Overall, a high intake of sugar was linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm. It also increases the risk of heart failure, particularly in participants with a normal BMI.

Interestingly, the study found that the highest health risks were associated with the lowest intake of treats, pointing that "extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary or beneficial for cardiovascular health." However, Janzi said that the study is "observational and cannot establish causation."