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There's no doubt that Diet Pepsi is refreshing and delicious. But, did you know that it's actually one of the worst drinks for you? Between the artificial sweeteners and other unhealthy ingredients, you could be doing a lot of harm to your body--like, A LOT! Here's why Diet Pepsi is actually the worst drink ever:
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1. It can cause dementia...
Drinking diet soda can cause dementia! A study conducted by Boston University researcher Matthew Pase, PhD, found that diet soda drinkers nearly tripled their odds of developing dementia!
2. ... and cancer, too!
Diet Pepsi contains acesulfame potassium (ace-K), which is believed to be "possibly carcinogenic to humans," according to experts.
3. It could be making you eat more calories
"In 2014, a study reported that overweight and obese people who drank diet sodas ate between 90 and 200 more calories of food per day than those who drank regular sodas," according to WebMD. This is believed to be the result of the artificial sweeteners that "trick you into overcompensating, or eating a greater number calories than you normally would," according to Christopher Gardner, PhD, director of nutrition studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center.
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4. It can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes
Between all of the sugar and urge to eat more calories, people who drink diet sodas "raise their risk of type 2 diabetes by about 13% for each 12-ounce can they drink each day," according to a 2014 study published in the British Journal Of Nutrition.
5. You're also at risk for a stroke or heart attack, too!
Daily diet soda drinkers have a 43% higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke, according to a 2012 study. The results also found that it could lead to death as a result of blood vessel problems!
6. It can cause kidney failure in women
"Kidney function declined over two decades in women who drank several diet sodas a day," according to researchers from Nurses' Health Study. The results saw that soda-drinking women actually had a 30% greater reduction in kidney function. Yikes!
7. It can cause cardiovascular disease
University of Miami and Columbia University researchers found that soda drinkers were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, according to Dr. Josh Axe.
8. It can also cause depression?
Not only can drinking diet soda lead to dementia, but it can also cause depression! In fact, drinking more than four cans a day can make you 30% more likely to become depressed.
9. It compromises the lungs, too!
Diet soda can also increases your risk of developing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms! COPD is a respiratory disease that is characterized by abnormal inflammation in the lungs and restricted airflow.