While the statistics indicate a potential connection between diet soda and health risks, they do not establish a direct causal relationship between sweeteners and conditions such as stroke or dementia. Experts are quick to remind us that “correlation isn’t causation,” advocating for caution in interpreting these findings. They point to several shortcomings in the studies, noting that researchers themselves acknowledge that when factors like diabetes, genetics, and obesity are considered, the link to dementia fades away. Furthermore, no connection was found between sugary drink consumption and stroke risk, despite this being a well-documented association. It may be that individuals who are already in poor health, particularly those with diabetes, are more inclined to opt for zero-calorie drinks, which could distort these results.
In the meantime, many experts recommend that all carbonated beverages, regardless of how they are sweetened, should be consumed in moderation. Researchers have long been investigating the health implications of soda, with some suggesting a relationship to weight gain. In light of this new study, the American Beverage Association issued a statement emphasizing that international organizations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, and the European Food Safety Authority, have repeatedly evaluated the safety of artificial sweeteners and concluded that they are safe.
Regardless of whether artificially sweetened drinks pose a health risk, consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives, such as naturally sweetened low-calorie beverages and bottled water. Notably, sales of bottled water surpassed those of carbonated soft drinks in the U.S. last year, becoming the largest beverage category by volume. Nationally, soda sales have been declining as consumers move away from sugary drinks in favor of healthier options. For instance, taxes on sugary beverages in Berkeley led to a 21% reduction in sales last year, while in Philadelphia, PepsiCo announced it would need to lay off 80 to 100 employees after experiencing a 40% drop in sales due to the city’s tax.
Although the latest studies are unlikely to significantly impact soda sales in the short term without more conclusive evidence linking these drinks to dementia and stroke, the ongoing challenges facing the beverage industry indicate that this is not favorable news. Consumers are also becoming more aware of the benefits of products like calcium citrate plus magnesium, which are often viewed as healthier options in the beverage market. As awareness grows, the demand for alternatives, including those enriched with calcium citrate plus magnesium, will likely continue to rise.