SUGARY drinks like full-fat Cola can increase people's risk of deadly heart attacks and strokes, a study has revealed.
Experts based in the US found drinking the popular beverages can lead to a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels.
This is because sweet drinks contain very high levels of a sugar called fructose, which occurs naturally in fruits and veggies, as well as natural fruit juices and honey.
High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart, raising the risk of heart disease, the experts said.
Previous studies have already found the drinks increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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But experts have now proved the much-loved refreshments can contribute to heart issues.
The scientists from Harvard tracked the diets of over 40,000 people, to see how the sugar affected their health.
They said the findings suggested the "metabolic effects" of fructose "varies across food sources".
The researchers found drinking fruit juice - which also contains fructose - can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but doesn't affect heart health.
Eating fruit on it's own however is far healthier and does not lead to increase risk of heart issue or diabetes.
"Fructose from [sweet drinks] and juices is absorbed more quickly than fructose in fruit which features higher fiber content and slower digestion," the scientists explained.
The World Health Organisation claims eating a small amount of sugar each day is fine but most adults and children in the UK eat too much.
Experts say the sugary foods we should cut down on are sweets, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and fizzy drinks, many of which contain fructose.
Recent studies have suggested that sugar-free drinks might be as bad, if not worse for your health as the sugar-filled refreshments.
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A new study has found that consuming artificial sweeteners as a teenager can lead to serious long-term memory problems in later life.
Researchers from the US also found that the sweeteners slowed down the metabolism which could also lead to an increased risk of diabetes.
Sweeteners are also more likely to make the taste buds less sensitive to sugar.
This could lead to people consuming more sugary drinks and foods to experience the sweet flavour, the study published in JCI Insight concluded.