4 Alarming Reasons You Should Avoid Drinking Diet Soda, According To A Doctor

Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a clinical gastroenterologist, trained at Harvard and Stanford, is warning men and women about the dangers of drinking diet soda. In a video shared to TikTok on Sept. 20, Dr. Sethi listed four reasons why he doesn’t sip on bubbly diet soda products like Diet Pepsi or its famous revival Diet Coke.

1. Women who drink diet soda are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular issues.

According to the doc’s TikTok video, individuals who consume two or more diet sodas daily face an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including strokes and heart attacks, particularly among women. A study from 2019 by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that regularly drinking two or more artificially sweetened beverages raised the risk of stroke by 25% and heart disease by 33% in women. Additionally, the study revealed that compared to non-consumers, diet soda drinkers have a 16% higher risk of early death.

Further studies indicate that diet sodas, which often contain artificial sweeteners, may contribute to metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that elevate the risk of heart diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, or high blood sugar. A report from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, published in the journal Diabetes Care in 2009, found that daily diet soda consumers had a 36% increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome and a staggering 67% higher risk of diabetes. Both of these conditions significantly raise the chances of experiencing a stroke or heart attack. Notably, diet soda drinkers were more likely to exhibit two key aspects of metabolic syndrome: larger waistlines and elevated fasting glucose levels.

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2. The high phosphorus content in diet sodas can contribute to kidney disease.

Close up of waitress holding drinks tray with soda and sparkling water

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Moving on to his second reason for avoiding diet soda, Dr. Sethi explained that the high phosphorus content in diet sodas can contribute to chronic kidney disease, which several studies have supported. The consumption of sugar, particularly in the form of fructose, has been linked to an increased risk of kidney disease. Research indicates that sugar plays a causal role in several key risk factors for kidney disease. For instance, excessive sugar consumption can lead to elevated serum uric acid levels, which are associated with kidney dysfunction and conditions like gout. Furthermore, high sugar intake is a significant contributor to the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, both of which are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease.

In addition to its harmful effects on the kidneys, excessive consumption of phosphoric acid—often found in products used for rust removal, hard water stain elimination, and mineral deposit cleaning—can weaken bones by leaching calcium from them. This acid, while effective in industrial applications, poses significant health risks when ingested in large amounts.

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3. It can destroy your gut health.

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Need another reason to put that diet soda down? Dr. Sethi says drinking bubbly diet sodas “can negatively impact insulin sensitivity and disrupt gut microbiome, affecting your gut health.” Many diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners, such as Sucralose, which research suggests can affect metabolism and lead to weight gain rather than loss.

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4. Diet soda may increase bad food cravings.

Tired afro american skateboarder girl refreshing after longboarding sit on skate drink soda beverage

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Lastly, Dr. Sethi advised people to avoid diet beverages as they can lead to intense “cravings for high-calorie food,” which can also compromise your health, according to his TikTok video. Consuming highly or heavily processed foods regularly like chips, burgers, or sugary sweets, increases a person’s risk of health complications including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, New Roots Institute notes.

A 2021 study published by the JAMA Network indicated that women, particularly those with obesity, may be more susceptible to the negative effects of diet soda. The findings suggested that women may exhibit heightened neural responses to Sucralose compared to sucrose, making them crave more surgery food after consumption. Sucralose, a widely used non-nutritive sweetener (NNS), is favored for its intense sweetness and low-calorie profile, making it a popular sugar alternative.

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4 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Drinking Diet Soda