Dante Carrillo
While there is no direct evidence linking deaths to Diet Pepsi, a 2019 study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that consumers of artificially sweetened drinks were 26% more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely drank sugar-free beverages. This has caused widespread concern, with one expert stating that the optimal intake of these drinks is zero. The study also found that people who drank two or more glasses of sugar-sweetened beverages per day were 8% more likely to die young compared to those who consumed less than one glass a month. Interestingly, the study suggested that drinking Diet Coke could be even more harmful than drinking Coca-Cola Classic. While some scientists have criticised the study for its flaws, it has nonetheless sparked a debate about the potential health risks associated with the consumption of artificially sweetened drinks, including Diet Pepsi.
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What You'll Learn
Diet Pepsi is linked to premature death
While there is no exact number of people who have died from consuming Diet Pepsi, a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine has linked the consumption of artificially sweetened beverages to premature death. The study followed 450,000 Europeans over 16 years and found that those who consumed two or more glasses of artificially sweetened beverages per day were 26% more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely drank these types of drinks. This suggests a potential link between Diet Pepsi and premature death, although it is important to note that other factors may also contribute to this increased risk.
Diet Pepsi, introduced in 1964, is a diet carbonated cola soft drink produced by PepsiCo. It was the first national diet soft drink in the United States and has been through several formula and packaging changes over the years. The link between Diet Pepsi and premature death is primarily due to the artificial sweeteners used in the drink, such as aspartame and sucralose. These sweeteners have been associated with negative health effects, including an increased risk of heart disease.
The study's findings have prompted public angst and controversy, with some scientists pointing out significant flaws in the research. However, the potential health risks associated with artificial sweeteners have long been a topic of discussion. As early as 2019, experts recommended that the optimal intake of artificially sweetened beverages should be zero, emphasizing their lack of health benefits. This aligns with the well-documented health effects of consuming too much sugar, which is also present in regular Pepsi and other sugary drinks.
While the exact number of deaths attributed to Diet Pepsi may be unknown, the evidence suggests that excessive consumption of artificially sweetened beverages, including Diet Pepsi, may increase the risk of premature death. This highlights the importance of moderating intake and being aware of the potential health risks associated with these types of drinks. It is always advisable to prioritize water or healthier alternatives and practice overall balanced dietary habits to maintain good health and reduce the risk of negative health outcomes.
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Artificially sweetened drinks and heart disease
While no specific number of deaths from Diet Pepsi can be confirmed, studies have shown a link between artificially sweetened drinks and heart disease.
A 2024 study published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, a journal of the American Heart Association, found a potential link between the consumption of artificially sweetened drinks and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib is a common heart condition characterised by an irregular heartbeat, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related issues. The study observed a 20% increase in AFib risk for those who drank more than 2 litres of artificially sweetened beverages each week. This is equivalent to about one 12-ounce diet soda per day.
Another study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, followed 450,000 Europeans over 16 years and found that those who drank two or more glasses of artificially sweetened beverages per day were 26% more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely consumed sugar-free drinks. This study also found that people who drank two or more glasses of sugar-sweetened beverages per day were 8% more likely to die prematurely compared to those who consumed less than one glass per month.
The exact mechanism by which artificially sweetened drinks may increase the risk of heart disease is not yet fully understood. However, some researchers have suggested that artificial sweeteners may disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to inflammation and negative effects on cardiovascular health. Additionally, artificial sweeteners have been linked to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are also risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to note that while these studies suggest a link between artificially sweetened drinks and heart disease, they do not prove causation. More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between artificial sweeteners and heart health. However, given the potential risks, some experts recommend reducing the intake of artificially sweetened beverages and opting for naturally less-sweet alternatives like water, herbal tea, or unsweetened seltzer water to promote better heart health.
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Public angst over flawed studies
In 2019, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine caused a stir among consumers of Diet Pepsi and other artificially sweetened beverages. The study, which followed 450,000 Europeans over 16 years, found that those who regularly consumed sugar-free drinks were 26% more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely consumed them. This prompted widespread concern and media reports highlighting the potential dangers of drinking Diet Pepsi.
However, the study has been criticised by some scientists who point out significant flaws in its methodology. They argue that the study does not prove causation between artificial sweeteners and premature death, and that there may be other factors at play. For example, people who choose to consume diet drinks may already have underlying health conditions that increase their risk of premature death. Additionally, the study did not account for the possibility that people's drinking habits may change over time, which could impact the results.
While the study sparked public angst and raised important questions about the health effects of artificial sweeteners, it is essential to approach such studies with a critical eye. It is worth noting that the authors of the study also found that consuming two or more glasses of sugar-sweetened beverages per day was associated with an 8% increased risk of premature death, which is a smaller but still significant risk.
This is not the first time that Diet Pepsi has come under scrutiny for its potential health risks. In the early 1990s, the use of aspartame as a sweetener in Diet Pepsi sparked concerns among consumers, leading to the introduction of a classic sweetener blend that utilised aspartame. More recently, in 2015, a change in the formula of Diet Pepsi again sparked backlash on social media, prompting PepsiCo to revive the use of aspartame and offer it alongside the new formula.
While studies may link artificially sweetened beverages to negative health outcomes, it is important to consider the limitations and potential biases of such studies. As consumers, it is essential to stay informed and approach such findings with a critical mindset, weighing the potential risks and benefits of our dietary choices.
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Deaths in the Philippines due to a Pepsi marketing campaign
In 1992, Pepsi Philippines (PCPPI) launched a marketing campaign called Pepsi Number Fever, also known as the 349 incident. The promotion, which was based on similar campaigns in Latin America, offered customers the chance to win prizes ranging from 100 pesos (around US$4) to a grand prize of 1 million pesos (roughly US$40,000). The campaign was extremely successful, increasing Pepsi's monthly sales and market share. However, an error led to 600,000 winners, resulting in lawsuits, rioting, and even deaths.
On May 25, 1992, the evening news program TV Patrol announced that the grand prize-winning number for the day was 349. While the grand prize-winning bottle caps were tightly controlled by PepsiCo, 800,000 regular bottle caps had already been printed with the number 349 without the necessary security code. This error led to widespread confusion and anger, with many people believing they had won the grand prize.
The fallout from the scandal was significant. Sales of Pepsi products in the Philippines plunged to just 17% of the total market share, and the company received numerous death threats. Protests erupted, with angry consumers forming a group called the 349 Alliance, which boycotted Pepsi products and held rallies. While most protests were peaceful, there were several violent incidents, including the killing of a schoolteacher and a 5-year-old child in Manila by a homemade bomb thrown at a Pepsi truck, and the deaths of three PCPPI employees in Davao from a grenade attack on a warehouse.
The incident also had legal repercussions, with PCPPI facing thousands of civil and criminal complaints for fraud and deception. The company was fined for violating the promotion's approved conditions and was eventually ordered to pay damages to some of the plaintiffs. The Supreme Court of the Philippines ultimately ruled that PCPPI was not liable to pay the amounts printed on the bottle caps or damages to the plaintiffs. The scandal and its aftermath highlighted the potential risks and consequences of marketing campaigns gone wrong and the importance of careful planning and execution to avoid such incidents.
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Diet Pepsi's NutraSweet (aspartame) sweetener
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been in use in the United States since the early 1980s. It is much sweeter than sugar, so less of it is required to achieve the same level of sweetness. It is commonly used as a tabletop sweetener, in prepared foods and beverages, and in recipes that do not require a lot of heat as heat breaks down aspartame. It is also used as a flavouring in some medicines, chewing gums, and toothpastes.
Aspartame is the second ingredient in Diet Pepsi. However, in 2015, PepsiCo removed aspartame from Diet Pepsi, but due to poor sales of the new formula, they brought back the old formula in 2016. PepsiCo's CFO has stated that the company has no plans to change its products at this point.
There have been concerns about aspartame causing health problems, including cancer, for many years. Some of these concerns stem from studies in lab rats published by Italian researchers in the late 2000s, which suggested that aspartame might increase the risk of some blood-related cancers (leukemias and lymphomas) and other types of cancer. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that "scientific evidence has continued to support the FDA's conclusion that aspartame is safe for the general population when made under good manufacturing practices and used under the approved conditions of use". The FDA has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame at 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. JECFA and the EFSA recommend a slightly lower ADI of 40 mg/kg/day. Aspartame has not been conclusively linked to any specific health problems, except for people with phenylketonuria (PKU).
A 2019 study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that prodigious consumers of artificially sweetened drinks were 26% more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely drank sugar-free beverages. This has prompted public angst, with some scientists pointing out significant flaws in the study. While the science is still evolving, the American Cancer Society supports the call from IARC and other organizations for more research on aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence of people dying directly from drinking Diet Pepsi. However, a 2019 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who consumed two or more glasses of artificially sweetened beverages per day were 26% more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely consumed sugar-free drinks. This suggests a potential link between excessive consumption of diet drinks and increased mortality risk.
The consumption of Diet Pepsi and other artificially sweetened beverages has been linked to various health concerns. Some experts argue that these drinks have no health benefits and may contribute to health issues such as heart disease. The optimal intake of these drinks is suggested to be zero.
While there have been no reported deaths directly linked to consuming Diet Pepsi, there was an incident in 1992 during a Pepsi marketing campaign in the Philippines. The "Pepsi Number Fever" campaign accidentally distributed 800,000 winning bottle caps for a 1 million peso grand prize, leading to riots and the deaths of five people.
