Mossavar-Rahmani Y, et al. - In this prospective study with a mean follow-up time of 11.9 years, researchers investigated the relationship between self-reported intake of artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) and stroke along with its subtypes, coronary heart disease, and all-cause mortality in a population of postmenopausal women in the United States. They found that 64.1% of women were infrequent consumers (never or < 1/week) of ASB (only 5.1% consumed ≥ 2 ASBs/day). An association of high ASB consumption with more than a twofold inclined risk of small artery occlusion ischemic stroke was evident in postmenopausal women with no previous history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. They also noted a correlation between greater intake of ASB and increased risk of ischemic stroke in those with body mass index measures of 30 or greater, especially small artery occlusion subtype, coronary heart disease, as well as all-cause mortality.