Doctor Calls Soft Drinks 'Liquid Death' and Urges Everyone to Avoid Them

Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified heart surgeon specializing in general, vascular, and thoracic surgery, has issued a powerful warning about one of the world’s most common beverages — soft drinks. He has famously labeled them as “liquid death” and strongly advises the public to stop consuming them altogether.

In an Instagram post, Dr. London shared four things he avoids as a heart surgeon, emphasizing their harmful effects on health. His list included smoking, alcohol, breads and pastas made from refined flours, and soft drinks. He highlighted smoking as the worst habit for the body, causing lung damage, cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. On alcohol, he said that it is toxic to every cell and removing it from his life was transformative.

But his warning on soft drinks carried striking emphasis: “Liquid death. Just don’t drink them. Period. Done.” He explained that sugary sodas are loaded with hidden calories and harmful additives that contribute significantly to poor health.

Dr. London further advised cutting back on refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta, pointing out that diet plays a major role in weight control — much more so than exercise.

In an interview with Today, Dr. London admitted his harsh description of soft drinks was meant to capture attention, stating, “Soft drinks are just a scourge in our society. People underestimate the calorie content and the damaging effects of sugar-laden beverages.”

This perspective is echoed by other health experts. Dr. William Li recently discussed on the Zoe podcast how soda consumption is linked to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. He explained that the problem is not just sugar but also the numerous chemical additives in these drinks that expose the body to chronic toxins over time.

As more medical professionals raise the alarm, it’s clear that avoiding soft drinks could be a crucial step toward better long-term health.