Soft drinks linked to asthma
People who drink large quantities of soft drinks appear to be more likely to develop asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study has found.Researchers at the University of Adelaide questioned 16,907 people, aged 16 and older, between March 2008 and June 2010.
Participants were asked about their consumption of soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola, lemonade and flavoured mineral water.
The researchers found that people who consumed more than half a litre of soft drink per day were 1.26 times more likely to have asthma than those who drank none at all.
They were also 1.79 times more likely to be affected by COPD.
Overall, the more soft drink a person consumed each day, the greater their chances of having asthma or COPD.
Lead researcher Dr Zumin Shi, whose findings are published in Respirology journal, concluded: "Our study emphasises the importance of healthy eating and drinking in the prevention of chronic diseases like asthma and COPD."
Approximately one in every 12 adults in the UK receives treatment for asthma, according to NHS sources.
