Frequent Diet Soda Intake Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia

Original Article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/frequent-diet-soda-intake-linked-fourfold-increased-dementia-2026a10002zn

The New Findings

A recent analysis from the long-running Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS) found that people who consume multiple diet sodas — beverages sweetened with artificial sweeteners — may have a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. In this study, participants who drank more than one diet soda per day had about four times the risk of dementia compared with those who drank one or fewer per day, even after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors.

What the Study Involved

Researchers looked at detailed dietary data and long-term cognitive outcomes in adults who were initially free of dementia. They compared patterns of diet soda consumption with how many people developed dementia over time. The strongest links were seen with diet soda, not regular sugary soda.

Important Considerations

Although the association was strong, this kind of study cannot prove cause and effect. It’s possible that people with underlying health conditions — such as obesity or diabetes — are more likely to drink diet soda, and those conditions themselves increase dementia risk. Indeed, when people with obesity or diabetes were excluded from some analyses, the link between soda and dementia weakened, suggesting that other health factors may play a role.

What This Might Mean

These findings add to growing evidence that frequent consumption of artificially sweetened beverages may have long-term health effects, potentially including cognitive decline and dementia risk. However, scientists say more research is needed to understand the biologic mechanisms and whether reducing diet soda intake could lower risk. There are no health benefits associated with drinking soda.