Unless you live under a rock, you're most likely already well aware of the fact that diet soda is really, really bad for you. We're talking increased risk of stroke, heart disease, weight gain (ironic, that one), diabetes, and even cancer bad for you, which is pretty damn bad. Well, guess what? Turns out diet soda could be bad for your mental health as well as your physical health: A recent study links diet soda consumption to an increased risk of depression. Sheesh. What a bummer!
The study surveyed the habits of 263,900 adults in the U.S. over the span of one year (1995 to 1996), then followed up roughly 10 years later asking if any had been diagnosed with depression since the year 2000. Interestingly, both regular and diet soda drinkers were down in the dumps, but diet soda drinkers were worse off -- people who regularly drank four or more cans per day of regular soda were 22 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with depression, but people who regularly drank diet soda were 31 percent more likely.
Now, one could argue that this study isn't proof of any definitive link between diet soda and depression and isn't EVERYBODY depressed these days? But with all of the other associated risks, why bother drinking the stuff?! It doesn't even taste good!!
Do you drink diet soda?
Image via Joel Kramer/Flickr