Sugar-free drinks are not as innocent as thought: Risk of stroke and cognitive decline!
A study conducted in the US has shown that some sweeteners used in diet drinks may pose serious risks to brain health.
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In recent years, healthy living trends have led consumers to prefer sugar-free and diet drinks. However, it has emerged that some chemicals contained in these drinks can damage brain vessels in particular.
A study conducted at the University of Colorado Boulder showed that a sweetener called 'erythritol', which is commonly used in diet drinks, can damage brain vessels and lead to impairments in cognitive functions. Researchers state that even the amount of erythritol in a single can of drink can cause such health problems.
Auburn Berry, the lead author of the study, stated that sugar-free drinks are generally seen as a healthy alternative, but the chemicals in their ingredients carry risks in terms of vascular and brain health. Berry emphasized that erythritol disrupts blood circulation by increasing oxidative stress levels and raises the risk of stroke.
COGNITIVE DECLINE AND NERVE DAMAGE
Neurologist Prof. Thomas Holland from Rush University stated that erythritol can lead to problems such as memory loss and cognitive decline by increasing the production of harmful molecules in brain cells. These findings reveal the potential negative effects of long-term consumption of diet drinks on brain health.