A respected neurologist has sounded a serious warning about the hidden dangers of diet soda, revealing that just one can daily can drastically elevate the risk of dementia and stroke. Dr. Clint Steele, a brain and nervous system specialist with over three decades of experience, highlights alarming findings from long-term studies connecting daily diet soda consumption to a sharp increase in these life-altering conditions.
In a viral video that has garnered over two million views, Dr. Steele emphasizes the damaging effects of the artificial sweeteners commonly found in diet sodas. “Numerous studies have shown that these drinks harm not only the brain but also the cardiovascular system,” he explains. Drawing on research that followed participants’ eating and drinking habits over seven years, then tracked their health for an additional decade, the findings are hard to ignore. Those drinking at least one diet soda daily had a 300% higher risk of stroke and a 290% increased risk of developing dementia compared to non-drinkers.
Dr. Steele advises making simple swaps to protect brain health: “Replace diet sodas with water or tea before it’s too late. You don’t need these chemically sweetened drinks in your diet.” According to Dr. Steele, even consuming diet soda multiple times a week can be harmful due to the toxic effects of artificial sweeteners on the body and brain.
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His passionate campaign comes from personal experience. Having witnessed his grandmother suffer from dementia, he is driven to help others avoid similar pain. “Seeing her lose her memory and identity was devastating,” he shares. “She would whisper to me, ‘Please, help get me out of here. I just want to go fishing.’ It broke my heart, and I knew I had to make a difference.”
Public reactions to Dr. Steele’s message have been mixed. Some viewers expressed shock and a readiness to change habits, while others shared skepticism based on family experiences with dementia and diet soda consumption. Nevertheless, Dr. Steele stands firm on the evidence: the risks cannot be taken lightly.
In summary, for those drinking diet soda daily, Dr. Steele’s advice is clear: cut it out and choose brain-friendly beverages instead, to significantly reduce the risk of stroke and dementia.