Diet drinks are a delight for those who watch their weight or suffer from diabetes, and they have gained a large global market share. But their daily consumption is related to strokes and dementia, a new US study says(1). People who often consume soft drinks and juices containing sugar are more prone to worse memory, lower brain volume and mainly a smaller hippocampus — in addition to the other harmful consequences they suffer.
So far, scientific studies have not reached a safe conclusion on whether consuming drinks containing artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of dementia and stroke. It is pointed out, though, that there is more and more evidence of a relation between frequent consumption of such drinks and the inducement of adverse effects to blood vessels.
In view of this:
1.
Is the Commission aware of the possible effects of diet drinks to the human brain?
2.
Will the Commission support studies conducted on diet drinks?
3.
If those findings are verified, what will the Commission do to protect citizens’ health?