Posted on 08/07/2026 5:26:02 AM PDT by Red Badger
Whether you work in an office or from home, you're likely familiar with the after-lunch slump that makes you reach for another coffee or a soda.
If you've front-loaded a lot of caffeine in the morning, this is typically the time you would feel a crash. Eating a large meal or not drinking enough water can also lead to that sluggish feeling.
There's nothing wrong with reaching for a pick-me-up at this time of day, though a short walk or refilling your water bottle is the healthiest option. But if your personal favorite afternoon treat is a Diet Coke, an updated study from the peer-reviewed journal Neurology presents some new data you're going to want to see.
The study's newest findings present a concerning link between low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) used in diet drinks and accelerated cognitive decline.
In a pool of 12,772 Brazilian participants tested over eight years, people younger than age 60 who consumed LNCS regularly showed a faster decline in verbal fluency and global cognition. The studied LNCS included aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame k, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose.
Six of the seven sweeteners showed a link to cognitive decline, with tagatose being the one that did not.
People below age 60 who consume artificial sweeteners regularly showed a faster decline in verbal fluency and global cognition.
Participants were tested at the beginning, middle, and end of the study to track changes and then separated into three groups based on consumption levels.
The highest consumption level group showed a cognitive decline 62% faster than that of the lowest group. However, those over 60 did not show an association between LNCS and cognitive decline.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Fresca?
The studied LNCS included aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame k, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose.Six of the seven sweeteners showed a link to cognitive decline, with tagatose being the one that did not.
Coke zero just taste better too
Coke zero just taste better too
In general, life kills you.
Interesting. I am currently 60. I have been drinking DC for maybe 40 years now. Lately though I do mis-speak and say April instead of August, or other kinds of similar slipups. Trump does this too. Could just be natural aging, or maybe there is something to this?
I’m been meaning to switch over to water with added caffeine. You can buy caffeine separately and make your own caffeinated drinks. The only reason I drink diet sodas is because of caffeine (I can’t tolerate more coffee than I already drink).
“Is this to attack Trump ?”
I strongly suspect it is.
😫........................
I had sa friend who had to get diet coke or he would get withdrawal symptoms
I was a diet cokeaholic when I was working....since retiring in 2020 I’ve probably had less than 10 sodas.....I’m STILL dumb. 😆
Serving size? How often? Does the body purge the sweetner if you skip days?
N-E-I ...
Naming a single, branded beverage is clickbait. (Got me to click!) Why Diet Coke and not Sam’s Choice Zero Sugar Cola, you might ask. Just cola, and not lemon-lime? What about red or orange pop?
Maybe it’s because the study was done in Brazil, and Brazil doesn’t have the same array of private-label, artificially sweetened sodas?
Dementia is the loss of analytical skills. Not only do you not know what day it is, you don’t know how to find out.
Thanks! My wife guzzled huge amounts of Diet Coke in years past. She’s 74 and no signs of cognitive decline. Of course, I’m 75 and the cognitively deficient probably don’t recognize cognitive decline in others. Not that I’m cognitively deficient, of course. Now why did I enter this chat room?
LOL. I’ve known several people who are really proud they drink lots of diet coke daily. I used to only drink it with alcohol but no longer consume alcohol, thank God.
My God. I am doomed.
Coke zero contains aspartame, acesulfame k, and stevia. It’s what I drink, but I drink less than 1 can per day.
Don’t be so hard on yourself, V_TWIN - you’re a smart guy to post here on Freerepublic and you’re doing great now that you are “retired” ... go easy!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.