Eat This, Not That! reports on study findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who drink one or more sodas each day are at higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many studies show that sugar-sweetened soda is linked to obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, all of which are more common in people with RA. In this study, the risk of RA appeared to be highest in women who were older. While the causes for RA are unknown, the findings from this study suggest that dietary choices are likely a factor.

HSS rheumatologist Susan M. Goodman, MD, who was not involved with this research, commented on the results, noting “This is a group who are also more susceptible to the effects of smoking, suggesting that sugar may be an environmental stimulus similar to smoking in susceptible people.”

Read the full article at Eatthis.com.