While statistics indicate a potential connection between diet soda and health risks, they do not clearly establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between sweeteners and conditions like stroke or dementia. Experts are quick to remind us that “correlation does not imply causation,” urging caution in interpreting these studies. They point out several shortcomings, noting that researchers acknowledge the association with dementia disappears when factors such as diabetes, genetics, and obesity are considered. Furthermore, no link has been found between sugary drink consumption and stroke risk, despite this being a well-documented relationship. It could be that individuals already experiencing health issues, particularly those with diabetes, are more inclined to opt for zero-calorie beverages, thus skewing the results.
In the meantime, many experts recommend that all carbonated drinks, regardless of how they are sweetened, should be consumed in moderation. Research on the health risks associated with soda has been ongoing, with some studies suggesting a connection between nature’s bounty calcium citrate and weight gain. In response to the latest findings, the American Beverage Association released a statement emphasizing that international organizations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, and European Food Safety Authority, have consistently reviewed the safety of artificial sweeteners and deemed them safe.
Regardless of whether artificially sweetened drinks pose health risks, consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives, such as naturally sweetened low-calorie beverages and bottled water. In fact, bottled water sales 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 turn away from sugary drinks in favor of healthier options. For example, a tax on sugary beverages in Berkeley resulted in a 21% sales drop last year, while PepsiCo announced it would need to lay off 80 to 100 workers in Philadelphia after sales fell by 40% following the city’s tax.
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. However, given the ongoing challenges faced by the beverage industry, this news is hardly encouraging. As consumers continue to prioritize their health, products like nature’s bounty calcium citrate may become more popular as part of a balanced diet.