Diet Soda Drinkers Three Times More Likely To Have Dementia and Stroke, Study Says

Many of us love downing a cup of soda after a long day of work or while relaxing and watching a movie. It’s our guilty pleasure – we know it’s not a healthy beverage in the first place but it just feels so refreshing to consume. In fact, some have made it a daily habit.

Well you might want to think twice before reaching for another cup soon. According to a recent research, people who drink diet sodas everyday have three times the risk of having dementia and stroke compared to occasional drinkers.

The study was published in the journal Stroke. The research studied over 4,000 people and the team was led by Matthew Pase of the Boston University School of Medicine.

A study found out that daily diet soda drinkers are three times more likely to develop dementia and stroke.

In an interview with NBC News, Pase revealed:

“We found that those people who were consuming diet soda on a daily basis were three times as likely to develop both stroke and dementia within the next 10 years as compared to those who did not consume diet soda.”

On top of that, the research team gives us this:

“Our study provides further evidence to link consumption of artificially sweetened beverages with the risk of stroke.

“To our knowledge, our study is the first to report an association between daily intake of artificially sweetened soft drink and an increased risk of both all-cause dementia and dementia because of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Other health experts have likewise confirmed that, yes, sugary drinks lead to various health problems such as diabetes and obesity.

Dr. Ralph Sacco, chairman of the neurology department at the University of Miami and former president of the American Heart Association, has a simple suggestion:

“Now with the growing number of studies that suggest a relationship between artificial sweetened beverages and vascular risk, I would say reach for a bottle of water before you reach for your artificial sweetened beverages.”

Pase, however, was quick to point out that the study shouldn’t raise alarms for avid diet soda fans.

“Even if someone is three times as likely to develop stroke or dementia, it is by no means a certain fate. In our study, three percent of the people had a new stroke and five percent developed dementia, so we’re still talking about a small number of people developing either stroke or dementia.”

Meanwhile, the American Beverage Association, defended that their products are safe. In a statement, the group said:

“The Alzheimer’s Association points out that the greatest risk factors for Alzheimer’s are increasing age, family history of Alzheimer’s, and genetics — not sugar intake, from any source.”

Well, what do you think about this, folks? Do you or do you not drink diet sodas? Tell us why in the comment section!