New Study Finds Shocking Health Effect of Drinking Soda

October 20, 2014

Using a sample of 5,300 healthy adults, researchers discovered that people who drink more sugar-sweetened beverages have shorter telomeres (the end part of chromosomes). The shorter the telomeres, the less a cell is able to regenerate, thus aging the body and raising the risk of diseases and early death.

“This finding is alarming because it suggests that soda may be aging us in ways we are not even aware of,” said researcher Elissa Epel.

Most people think they can get away with drinking soda as long as they aren’t gaining weight, but the new study found that sugary drinks may be causing an “invisible pathway” to accelerated aging. Researchers found no link to cell aging from diet sodas and fruit juices.

Photo: Getty

Vicki Clinebell majored in journalism at the University of Colorado and headed to an advertising agency before beginning a long career in broadcasting, spanning production and copywriting to Sales and Management for an ABC affiliate station.

Her decision to switch gears to pursue a career in writing fulfilled a lifelong ambition. She started as a blogger for a diverse group of businesses, and now writes for a number of digital publications for companies stationed in her hometown in the Rocky Mountains, and provides advertising copy and media buys for national and regional clients. She finds the research as intersting as the writing—she loves learning about subjects as diverse as construction scaffolding, child safety seats, and the newest trends in beauty and fashion.