You Will STOP Drinking Diet Soda Immediately After Knowing 4 Shocking Reasons Revealed By This Doctor

We all know the tempting appeal of diet soda—it promises a sweet, guilt-free indulgence without the added calories. But is it really the healthier choice?

According to Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard and Stanford-trained gastroenterologist based in California with over two decades of clinical experience and practices at clinics in the San Francisco area, the answer is a firm no.

In a recent TikTok video, Dr. Sethi shared four compelling reasons why drinking diet soda could be doing more harm than good. If you’ve ever wondered whether your daily diet soda habit is really as harmless as it seems, these facts might just make you think twice.

1. It Could Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Dr. Sethi kicked off his list with a shocking statistic: “Women who drink two or more diet sodas daily face a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke.” His statement stems from a 2019 study by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, which revealed that women over 50 who consume diet sodas regularly have an increased chance of these life-threatening conditions.

What’s even more concerning? The risk is highest in women who don’t have a prior history of heart disease or diabetes. So even if you’re perfectly healthy now, your daily diet soda habit could still be putting your heart in danger. Is it really worth it?

2. Diet Soda Can Harm Your Kidneys

The second alarming fact Dr. Sethi shared is the connection between diet soda and chronic kidney disease. “The high phosphorus content in diet sodas can contribute to chronic kidney disease,” he explained.

This claim is backed by the National Kidney Foundation, which found that women who drink two or more diet sodas per day experience a significant decline in kidney function.

In fact, the study revealed that these women had a threefold decline in their glomerular filtration rate—a key measure of kidney health—compared to those who abstained from diet sodas. Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease, making it crucial to rethink those daily cans of diet soda.

3. It Messes with Your Gut Health

Gut health plays a critical role in overall well-being, from digestion to immunity. Unfortunately, Dr. Sethi warns that diet sodas can “negatively impact insulin sensitivity” and “disrupt gut microbiome,” potentially wreaking havoc on the digestive system.

The artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas, such as sucralose and aspartame, may alter the balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to problems like poor digestion, inflammation, and even metabolic disorders.

So while diet sodas might save you a few calories, they could be compromising your gut health in ways you can’t see.

4. It Triggers Cravings and Makes You Eat More

While diet sodas might seem like a calorie-free way to indulge in a sweet drink, they can actually “increase cravings for high-calorie foods,” according to Dr. Sethi. He cites a 2021 study published in the JAMA Open Network, which found that sucralose—a common ingredient in diet sodas—can heighten appetite by triggering “greater neural reward responses” in the brain.

Essentially, these artificial sweeteners can make you crave more food, particularly high-calorie, unhealthy options, leading to overeating and potential weight gain. So, while diet sodas might save you calories on the surface, they could contribute to long-term weight management issues.

The Reality: No Nutritional Benefits, Just Risks

After laying out these four concerning facts, Dr. Sethi’s conclusion is crystal clear: “Ultimately, diet sodas offer no nutritional benefits.” From heart health to kidney function, gut balance to appetite control, diet sodas come with a host of potential risks that simply aren’t worth the trade-off for a sweet fix.

If you’re looking for healthier alternatives, consider swapping diet sodas for water, herbal teas, or sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice. Your body will thank you in the long run.