Diet Sodas Tied to Dementia and Stroke

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Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/well/diet-sodas-tied-to-dementia-and-stroke.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=stream&module=stream_unit&&_r=0

A new study at Boston University School of Medicine has linked drinking diet sodas to an increased risk for strokes and dementia. By studying more than 4000 people over the age of 45 and tracking their health over a 10-year period they found 97 cases of stroke and 81 cases of dementia. Through the study they found that people who drank 1-6 artificially sweetened drinks a week had double the risk of stroke along with similar risks for dementia. They have yet to discover the reason for the link between the beverages and the risks for stroke and dementia.
       Based on our recent discussion of thirst and the links between that and the brain I thought this would be an interesting and relevant article to choose. I, as well as many others I know, drink diet sodas fairly often so it immediately sparked my interest. I think that this article is novel research because it relates to so many people’s everyday lives since the consumption of these beverages is extremely common. And although they have not discovered why exactly diet sodas are linked with an increased dementia and stroke risk it is still notable and could definitely make something rethink their intake of these beverages.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 1, 2017 at 5:00 PM

    This sounds very interesting. Is it the artificial sweeteners in the sodas, that are causing people to have strokes? I know a lot of people that drink diet sodas, so this is something people should definitely consider before drinking diet sodas.

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  2. UnknownMay 1, 2017 at 5:22 PM

    I wonder how drinking diet soda at younger ages would impact their likelihood of having strokes or dementia. More and more studies are coming out saying that diet soda is very bad for your health, I know I will not be drinking diet soda anymore.

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  3. UnknownMay 1, 2017 at 5:41 PM

    I am curious as to whether or not the blood's glucose levels are linked to this study. We had discussed that diet sodas initiate insulin production in the body to break down sugars it thinks it is ingesting; then when no sugar is available to be broken down, it interferes elsewhere. I am curious as to if this can be linked at all to strokes seeing as a stroke is caused by lack of blood supply getting to the brain.

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  4. UnknownMay 1, 2017 at 6:42 PM

    This is very interesting. I think alot of people see diet sodas as a healthy alternative to drinking regular sodas, which isn't totally the case. Yes, drinking a diet soda is a little bit better than a regular one; however, I always thought that any beverage with artificial sweeteners, no matter how little sugar they claim to have, are going to have a negative effect on the body in the long run, especially with habitual consumption. You are right in saying this is part of some people's everyday lives so I think it is very interesting and beneficial that they are beginning to try to pin down the real effects of sodas and other artificial sweetened beverages on the body and the mind.

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  5. Alexa MendelMay 1, 2017 at 6:48 PM

    I think research like this is very important because people always assume that drinking diet soda is better than drinking regular soda. In regards to sugar content, diet soda is the better option, but reading an article like this makes drinking that diet soda not worth it. It is best for your body to drink soda only on rare occasions and stick to just drinking water because that is what is the healthiest in many ways.

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  6. Justin ArmstrongMay 1, 2017 at 8:35 PM

    This topic is very important because it competes with the media's portrayal of what is healthy vs. not healthy. I find myself choosing diet soda over regular soda because I know there is no sugar, but I would almost rather have the soda than doubling the risk of strokes and dementia. Diet soda is portrayed as a healthy alternative in comparison to regular soda, but when you weigh the consequences between the two, it might be something we should all reconsider.

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  7. Destiny DavisMay 1, 2017 at 9:09 PM

    After reading this blog post and the comments I found that I too agreed with everyone prior that this research is something that could impact the daily lives of many people. However I was critical and skeptical of the research because I instantly began wondering how well they controlled for extraneous variable such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and diet and exercise. All those variables play a well known and substantial role in the health of the body and the risk of many diseases and negative health consequences. Meaning that if those variable were not properly controlled for this research could be a little less than reliable.

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  8. torismithMay 1, 2017 at 9:16 PM

    Diet sodas and other diet foods have been looked at closely in the news lately. Although lower in calories, the ingredients have shown to have some bad side effects such as migraines and weight gain. I had not heard that they could lead to dementia and stroke until reading this article. The term "diet soda" sounds like it should be the healthy decision, but that is proving to be false. This research did not show the reason for the link between the consumption of diet sodas and how over time it puts people at risk for dementia and stroke, but with further research this may be discovered. This research is vital to delivering people the truth about what is labeled to be healthier for you. Health is an important area and new discoveries help us to improve it.

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