Drinking three glasses of fresh fruit juice per day can double the risk of dying from heart disease
US scientists also found sweet drinks also increased the risk of dying young by 27 per cent
DRINKING three glasses of fresh fruit juice a day more than doubles the risk of dying from heart disease, say experts.
They also found over-45s who consume the most sugary drinks are up to 150 per cent more likely to have fatal heart troubles.
It also raised the risk of dying young by 27 per cent, compared with those who avoided sweet beverages. Sugary drinks include fizzy pop, squash and juices such as orange and apple.
US scientists followed almost 18,000 older adults over six years. But they found no link between early death and regularly eating sugary foods.
They said this may be due to the different ways the body processes drinks and foods.
Dr Jean Welsh, of Atlanta’s Emory University, said downing sweet drinks results in the body being hit by a “sugar flood”.
But foods often contain nutrients such as fats or proteins which slow digestion. Dr Welsh said: “This study adds strong data to what already exists highlighting the importance of minimising sugary beverages.”
Britain’s fizzy drinks tax comes into force next month.
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Tracy Parker, dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Added sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity, a risk factor for heart and circulatory diseases and type 2 diabetes.”
Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “This does not reflect consumption behaviour in the UK, where sugar intake from soft drinks has fallen by almost 19 per cent since 2013.”
A British Fruit Juice Association spokesperson said: "The research has not been clear as to which juices the participants consumed – but even it if was 100 per cent pure fruit juice, research such as this, in which participants consumed far beyond the recommended guidelines, can foster misleading results at a time when consumers are already confused about what they can and can’t eat.
"The recommended portion size is 150ml daily.
“When consumed in the correct portion size, pure fruit juice delivers a wealth of essential nutrients and vitamins such as potassium, folate, and vitamin C and counts as one of your five-a-day."