High level of soft drink consumption may make a person more vulnerable to asthma and, or, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study has revealed.

Led by Zumin Shi, MD, PhD, of the University of Adelaide, researchers conducted computer assisted telephone interviewing among 16,907 participants aged 16 years and older in South Australia between March 2008 and June 2010 inquiring about soft drink consumption.

Soft drinks comprised Coke, lemonade, flavored mineral water, Powerade, and Gatorade etc.

Results showed that one in ten adults drink more than half a litre of soft drink daily in South Australia.

The amount of soft drink consumption is associated with an increased chance of asthma and/or COPD. There exists a dose-response relationship, which means the more soft drink one consumes, the higher the chance of having these diseases.

Overall, 13.3 percent of participants with asthma and 15.6 percent of those with COPD reported consuming more than half a litre of soft drink per day.

The odds ratio for asthma and COPD was 1.26 and 1.79, comparing those who consumed more than half a litre of soft drink per day with those who did not consume soft drinks.

`Our study emphasizes the importance of healthy eating and drinking in the prevention of chronic diseases like asthma and COPD,` Zumin added.

The study has been published in the journal Respirology.

Source: ANI
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