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Diamond_Dog

(37,257 posts)
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 10:37 PM Feb 2025

The Dark Truth About Diet Coke

Donny’s favorite drink …..

(snip)

Despite its undeniable popularity, Diet Coke’s nutritional rap sheet remains a cause for concern. The popular drink has long ignited controversy among researchers, dietitians, and doctors who primarily take issue with its artificial sweetener aspartame. In late 2024, rumors even circulated of a Diet Coke ban, and while it was quickly debunked as just that (a rumor!), it's only revived this decades-long convo.

(snip)

Research also suggests that Diet Coke and other products with artificial sweeteners might be increasing your risk of dementia. "This is due to aspartame and sucralose disrupting neurotransmitter activity, which can affect brain function," Riley says.

Indeed, a 2017 study on the subject found that individuals who consumed diet sodas daily were three times as likely to suffer from dementia or a stroke compared to those that don't. Another study found similar evidence in 2019 after testing the different effects of sweeteners on behavior and neurotransmitters release in mice.

https://www.delish.com/food-news/a63785935/is-diet-coke-bad-for-you-aspartame/

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The Dark Truth About Diet Coke (Original Post) Diamond_Dog Feb 2025 OP
If diet coke gives you dementia, I've got problems in my future. dem4decades Feb 2025 #1
That stuff tastes so nasty I have no idea how people drink it alittlelark Feb 2025 #2
Trump guzzles it regularly. So that's good news. live love laugh Feb 2025 #3
He needs to drink more. Diamond_Dog Feb 2025 #11
I have known for decades that all soft drinks PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2025 #4
I can give you an anecdote. Diamond_Dog Feb 2025 #9
It's anecdotal, but informative. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2025 #13
I find diet coke Linda ladeewolf Feb 2025 #5
I have an excellent alternative Kilgore Feb 2025 #6
Ya know, that actually sounds really good..... Diamond_Dog Feb 2025 #7
I'm inclined to stick to gin & tonic, PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2025 #8
I love a good gin and tonic too Diamond_Dog Feb 2025 #10
Or neat EverHopeful Feb 2025 #12
Where can I send him a sixpack? marble falls Mar 2025 #14
I finally managed to get my mom off Diet Coke, Crunchy Frog Mar 2025 #15
diet coke popularity alina87 Mar 2025 #16
Interesting "hot topic" Lulu KC Mar 2025 #17
Spammer JoseBalow Mar 2025 #18
Post removed Post removed Apr 22 #19

dem4decades

(12,828 posts)
1. If diet coke gives you dementia, I've got problems in my future.
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 10:43 PM
Feb 2025

When I worked I lived on that shit.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(27,913 posts)
4. I have known for decades that all soft drinks
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 11:12 PM
Feb 2025

are genuinely terrible for you. Diet soft drinks, vastly worse.

I have no idea if anyone/any groups out there keep track of things like soft drinks, diet soft drinks, who drinks them, what happens when you drink that crap.

But I'd love to see that research.

Diamond_Dog

(37,257 posts)
9. I can give you an anecdote.
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 11:29 PM
Feb 2025

My late cousin drank a 12-pack of Diet Coke (in cans) A DAY. He was really messed up health-wise. High blood sugar, high blood pressure, bad heart, very obese, and his mind wasn’t all there towards the end.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(27,913 posts)
13. It's anecdotal, but informative.
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 11:47 PM
Feb 2025

I've gone from sugar sodas to diet sodas, back to sugar, and about four decades ago, essentially NO soft drinks of any kind.

Dare I point out I am the healthiest person I know? I never get sick. Last cold was over a decade ago, last influenza (and brace yourself here) was in something like 1974. Maybe 1975.

And I absolutely mean it that I haven't had flu in well over 40 years.

Were everyone as healthy as I am, some 90% of doctors would have no patients. OBGYNs would still have work to do, but most medical personnel, not so much.

Linda ladeewolf

(909 posts)
5. I find diet coke
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 11:19 PM
Feb 2025

To be almost addictive, I have to watch my sugar intake carefully right now, so I drink it, but I try not to overdo it. Those sweeteners are also addictive.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(27,913 posts)
8. I'm inclined to stick to gin & tonic,
Fri Feb 28, 2025, 11:29 PM
Feb 2025

mainly because I personally find scotch undrinkable. Sigh.

Crunchy Frog

(27,626 posts)
15. I finally managed to get my mom off Diet Coke,
Sat Mar 1, 2025, 06:10 AM
Mar 2025

but sadly, she's already in the early stages of dementia.

alina87

(1 post)
16. diet coke popularity
Tue Mar 4, 2025, 05:18 AM
Mar 2025

It’s interesting how Diet Coke remains such a hot topic after all these years. The concerns about aspartame and brain health are definitely worth paying attention to, especially with studies linking artificial sweeteners to dementia. At the same time, millions drink it daily without immediate issues. Moderation seems like the best approach until more research gives us clearer answers.








Response to Diamond_Dog (Original post)

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