The study sheds light only on an association, as the researchers were unable to determine an actual cause-and-effect relationship between sipping artificially sweetened drinks and an increased risk for stroke and dementia. Therefore, some experts caution that the findings should be interpreted carefully.

No connection was found between those health risks and other sugary beverages, such as sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit juice and fruit drinks.

"We have little data on the health effects of diet drinks and this is problematic because diet drinks are popular amongst the general population," said Matthew Pase, a senior research fellow in the department of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine and lead author of the new study.

"More research is needed to study the health effects of diet drinks so that consumers can make informed choices concerning their health," he said.

In the older-than-45 group, the researchers measured for stroke and in the older-than-60 group, they measured for dementia.

"The sample sizes are different because we studied people of different ages," Pase said. "Dementia is rare in people under the age of 60 and so we focused only on those aged over 60 years for dementia. Similarly, stroke is rare in people aged under 45 and so we focused on people older than age 45 for stroke."

The researchers analyzed how many sugary beverages and artificially sweetened soft drinks each person in the two different age groups drank, at different time points, between 1991 and 2001. Then, they compared that with how many people suffered stroke or dementia over the next 10 years.

Compared to never drinking artificially sweetened soft drinks, those who drank one a day were almost three times as likely to have an ischemic stroke, caused by blocked blood vessels, the researchers found.

They also found that those who drank one a day were nearly three times as likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

Those who drank one to six artificially sweetened beverages a week were 2.6 times as likely to experience an ischemic stroke but were no more likely to develop dementia, Pase said.

"So, it was not surprising to see that diet soda intake was associated with stroke and dementia. I was surprised that sugary beverage intake was not associated with either the risks of stroke or dementia because sugary beverages are known to be unhealthy," Pase said.

In response, Lauren Kane, a spokeswoman for the American Beverage Association, issued a statement from the group that said low-calorie sweeteners found in beverages have been proven safe by worldwide government safety authorities.

"The FDA, World Health Organization, European Food Safety Authority and others have extensively reviewed low-calorie sweeteners and have all reached the same conclusion -- they are safe for consumption," the statement said.

"While we respect the mission of these organizations to help prevent conditions like stroke and dementia, the authors of this study acknowledge that their conclusions do not -- and cannot -- prove cause and effect. And according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), many risk factors can increase an individual's likelihood of developing stroke and dementia including age, hypertension, diabetes and genetics. NIH does not mention zero calorie sweeteners as a risk factor," the statement said. "America's beverage companies support and encourage balanced lifestyles by providing people with a range of beverage choices with and without calories and sugar so they can choose the beverage that is right for them."

"This article provides further evidence though on artificially sweetened beverages and their possible effects on vascular health, including stroke and dementia," said Dr. Ralph Sacco, professor and chair of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, about the new study.

"We believe the pathways of which artificially sweetened beverages would affect the brain are probably through vascular mechanisms," Sacco said.

"When the authors controlled for hypertension and diabetes and obesity the effects diminish, which implies that some of the effects of artificially sweetened beverages could still be going through a vascular pathway," he said about the new study. "Many strokes are caused by hardening of arteries; and the risk of dementia is also increased by the hardening of arteries in large and small vessels. So, I believe the mechanisms may be through vascular disease, though we can't prove it."

Heather Snyder, senior director of medical and scientific operations at the Alzheimer's Association, called the new study "a piece of a larger puzzle" when it comes to better understanding how your diet and behaviors impact your brain.

"It's actually really more of your overall diet and overall lifestyle that is linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk, and we do know that heart disease and diabetes are linked to an increased risk of dementia," said Snyder, who was not involved in the new study.

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Diet sodas may be tied to stroke, dementia risk - CNN

Eve Glazier, M.D., and Elizabeth Ko, M.D 5:47 p.m. ET April 20, 2017

Elizabeth Ko, MD, left, and Eve Glazier, MD(Photo: Reed Hutchinson, Credit Photo: Reed Hutchinson/UC)

Dear Doctor:

Do I really need to take a multivitamin? My sisters are convinced that you can't get all the nutrients that you need without one, but it seems to me that as long you're eating right, you're covered.

Dear Reader: Multivitamins are the most widely used supplements in the United States. It is estimated that between one-third and one-half of all Americans take a multivitamin each day. As a result, your question is one that comes up often in our practices.

And while we can't offer specific advice, we can share and explain the information we give to our patients.

The short answer is that for most patients, we believe that if you're eating a balanced diet, one that includes whole grains, a variety of vegetables and fruits, adequate lean protein and dairy products, there is no need for a multivitamin.

However, when a patient's diet isn't ideal, then a multivitamin can offer insurance for the deficient vitamins and/or minerals.

Of course, there are exceptions. Pregnant women and women who are trying to become pregnant need at least 400 micrograms of folate per day, a B vitamin that helps to prevent neural tube defects. For these women, a prenatal vitamin or a daily folic acid supplement is recommended. Nursing women have unique nutritional needs that may call for supplementation.

Some elderly adults whose appetites have diminished and who therefore don't eat a balanced diet may benefit from adding a multivitamin. Someone on a restricted diet, such as a vegan, typically needs a B12 supplement.

A strict vegetarian may require additional zinc, iron or calcium. And for individuals with chronic conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, B12 deficiency or malabsorption, or a history of gastric bypass surgery, then supplemental vitamins and minerals are necessary to maintaining good health.

So what are vitamins, exactly?

They're nutrients that we need in small quantities to maintain various metabolic functions that, when taken in total, add up to good health. Vitamins help the body to produce energy, ward off cell damage, facilitate in the absorption and utilization of minerals, and play varying roles in the regulation of cell and tissue growth.

Vitamins must be taken in food because the body either doesn't produce them in adequate quantities, or doesn't produce them at all.

Vitamin D is a bit of an outlier. It's an essential nutrient that does not naturally appear in food in adequate quantities, but is produced when our skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B rays in sunlight. It is also available in fortified foods like milk, fish and mushrooms.

Take an honest look at your diet. If you find some nutritional holes, our advice is to adjust and improve your eating habits. If you do decide to make a multivitamin part of your daily regimen, keep in mind that it cannot take the place of a balanced and healthy diet.

Not only do fruits, vegetables, whole grains and leafy greens contain vitamins, they also provide fiber, which is important to good health. Whole foods also contain trace nutrients and other useful compounds that no pill or supplement can re-create.

Eve Glazier, M.D., MBA, is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health. Elizabeth Ko, M.D., is an internist and primary care physician at UCLA Health. Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu.

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Ask the Doctors: Multivitamins can't replace healthy diet - Elmira Star-Gazette

ITSno state secret, regularly downing a full-fat Coke is not the healthiest of life choices.

Armed with the info, chances are you will save a Coca Colafor treat day and opt for the diet stuff day-to-day.

Butwhen it comes to potential health complicationsboth full-sugar and diet versions of most fizzy drinkscome with a helping of risks, according to the science.

And thats why health experts and dietitians recommend drinking plenty of water to quench your thirst, reserving a can of pop for the odd day when you deserve a little something naughty.

Countless studies have examined the health pros and cons of sugary and diet versions.

Researchers digging into the full-sugar varieties have found links with decreased brain function and memory, increased risk of diabetes and heart attack.

While their colleagues focusing on the diet alternatives have, perhaps more surprisingly, found similar concerns.

Diet fizzy drinks, which are artificially sweetened, have been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even excessive weight gain.

But if this isnt enough to make you put down the pop for good, here is a run down of Coca Cola versus Diet Coke, according to the scientific findings.

In a standard 330ml can of regular full-fatCoke, there are 35g of sugar, which is around seven teaspoons.

To put that into perspective, that is the recommended daily intake of sugar for an adult in just one can.

That sugar is taken into our body as calories and, if it is not burnt off, gets converted into fat and sits snugly on our waistlines.

That alone should be enough to cause concern.

Obesity greatly increases your risk of potentially life-threatening conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some types of caner and stroke, according to the NHS.

But it is not just an expanding tummy you need to look out for.

A 2002 study published in the journal Neuroscience found that high levels of refined sugar, such as those found in Coke, actually deprived the brain of a chemical necessary for learning and memory.

Rats who were kept on a diet packed with sugary drinks showed a decreased ability in theirhippocampus part of the brain that controls memory and learning after several months.

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Another study, conducted in 2012, found just one can of fizzy drink increased the risk of heart attack by 20 per cent compared to those who drank no soda.

The study, published in the journal Circulation, looked at the drinks intake of more than 42,000 men and discovered there were almost 4,000 cases of heart disease over a 22-year period in men who drank more soda.

The researchers attributed this to an adverse change in fat in the body and inflammation caused by the drink, both of which can damage the heart.

Still need convincing?

In 2015 an infographic, based on research by health writer Wade Meredith, was released explaining how Coke contains so much sugar your body should vomit but the phosphoric acid cuts the flavour and helps keep it down.

Within 40 minutes of gulping the drink your blood sugar has spiked, your pupils have dilated, your blood pressure rises and your body produces more of the happy chemical dopamine, which is the same way heroin works on your system.

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Youd be forgiven for reaching for a cold can of Diet Coke thinking it is a healthier option, the clue is the name or so you thought.

But all may not be as it seems.

Diet Coke, like many other diet drinks, contains high levels of artificial sweeteners, which are not immune fromcontroversy.

Diet Coke, specifically, contains aspartame.

Earlier this year a study claimed there was noevidence artificially-sweetened beverages such as Diet Coke are better for staying trim or slimming than sugar-filled versions.

They said diet drinks do not cut the risk of developing obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Experts warn they may even cause weight gain, by stimulating peoples sweet tooth and causing them to eat more.

Sugar

Sugar is a natural ingredient that is cultivated from sugar cane.

They are carbohydrates that provide energy for the body and its most common form is glucose.

Some are also found naturally in foods like fruit, vegetables and milk.

The body does not distinguish between the different types of sugar and breaks them down in exactly the same way.

But just because it is naturally occurring doesnt mean it is without health risks.

Too much sugar can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Aspartme

Aspartme is an artificial sweetener used instead of sugar to make food taste sweeter.

It is low in calories and up to 200 times sweeter than sugar.

Aspartame is used all over the world as a sugar substitute in thousands of foods and drinks, including cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie soft drinks and table-top sweeteners, according to the NHS.

But it has been subject to more scare stories than any other sweetener.

There have been reports it is linked to an increased chance of brain tumours, cancer, premature birth, liver damage and allergies.

However theEuropean Food Safety Authority conducted a comprehensive review into the evidence in 2013 and concluded it was safe for human consumption.

Another theory is sweeteners alter gut bugs, making it harder for the body to use sugar.

Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to increased levels of hunger by trickingthe brain into thinking it is getting a sugary, high-calorie treat.

Speaking of weight gain, there is even a theory that those who drink diet drinks eat more during the day because they think they are entitled to more calories.

It has also been linked to an increased risk of diabetes thats without the excess sugar in normal coke.

Experts warned that just a couple of glasses of sugary or diet pop such as Diet Coke a day more than doubles their risk of the disease.

One theory is sweetened beverages can affect how the body uses insulin.

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Even more worrying is the effect it is thought to have on those trying for a baby.

Diet drinks may reduce a womans chance of getting pregnant during IVF and it is all to do with the artificial sweeteners in the beverages.

Those who supped low-calorie pop or put sweeteners in coffee produced poorer eggs and embryos, a Brazilian study found.

The study concluded: Patients should be advised about the adverse effect of sugar and mainly artificial sweeteners on the success of assisted reproduction.

And that isnt all!

A study from the University of Miami linked diet drinks to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke results that have been similar in studies on full fat soft drinks suggesting that diet drinks are in fact no better for us.

More than 2,000 people were asked to keep a diary of what they ate and drank for the study, which found those who drank diet soda were 48 per cent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

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Based on the evidence above, it is fair to say that neither option is a good option.

The popular drinks have both been linked to increased risks of obesity which can lead to type two diabetes, some cancers, heart attack and stroke.

Separately they have also been linked to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke without obesity being factored in.

So, if you want to be health conscious next time youre feeling parched your best option is a glass of water.

As tempting as a cold can of coke might be, it just doesnt seem worth it for your health.

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What's better for you, sugar-laden Coca Cola or Diet Coke? We review the science and find they're both AS bad as ... - The Sun

PEOPLE.com

Vanessa Hudgens Dishes on How She Lost 20 Lbs.: 'You Can Eat Bacon' PEOPLE.com As for her #1 diet tip? You don't really need to count calories as much as you think you do, she says. Think about eating things that are going to fuel you, give you sustainable energy. And don't be afraid of fats. You can eat bacon; you can eat ... and more »

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Vanessa Hudgens Dishes on How She Lost 20 Lbs.: 'You Can Eat Bacon' - PEOPLE.com