Sweetened beverages and atrial fibrillation in people with prediabetes or diabetes

To assess the association of intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) and natural juices (NJs) with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in people with prediabetes or diabetes.

A total of 31 433 participants with prediabetes and diabetes from the UK Biobank were included. Information on the intake of SSBs, ASBs and NJs was accessed by 24-hour dietary recalls from 2009 to 2012. The study outcome was new-onset AF.

During a median follow-up of 12.0 years, 2470 (7.9%) AF cases were documented. Both the intake of SSBs (per 1 unit/day increment; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.18) and ASBs (per 1 unit/day increment; adjusted HR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02-1.14) were linearly and positively associated with new-onset AF, while NJ intake was not significantly associated with new-onset AF (per 1 unit/day increment; adjusted HR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.93-1.08). Accordingly, compared with non-consumers, participants who consumed more than one unit per day of SSBs (adjusted HR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.11-1.53) or ASBs (adjusted HR = 1.21; 95% CI:1.05-1.40) had an increased risk of AF. Substituting 1 unit/day of NJs for SSBs was associated with a 9% (adjusted HR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83-0.99) lower risk of new-onset AF, while replacing SSBs with ASBs was not significantly associated with new-onset AF (adjusted HR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.89-1.06).

Both the intake of SSBs and ASBs were linearly and positively associated with new-onset AF, while NJ intake did not show a significant association with AF in people with prediabetes or diabetes. Replacing an equivalent amount of SSB intake with NJs, but not ASBs, was associated with a lower risk of AF.