‘Just don’t drink them. Period. Done.’
Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon with multiple board certifications, has made headlines by labeling one of the world’s most popular beverages as “liquid death.” He strongly advises against its consumption, expressing concerns about the negative impact of soft drinks on overall health. His stance is echoed by fellow medical professionals who are raising alarms about the harmful effects of sugary beverages.
In an Instagram post, Dr. London shared “four things I absolutely avoid as a heart surgeon.” These included smoking, alcohol, breads and pastas, and soft drinks. He stated, “Number one, smoking: no question the single worst thing you can do for your entire body. Destroys your lungs, causes lung cancer, high cardiovascular risks, heart attacks and strokes, don’t smoke.”
Alcohol ranked second on his list. He mentioned, “Hate to break it to you [but it’s] toxic. Toxic to every cell in your body. Your body, your rules, you decide for yourself. For me personally, removing alcohol from my life has probably been one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made as an adult.”
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Soft drinks were mentioned in third place. He asserted, “Liquid death. Just don’t drink them. Period. Done.”
Finally, Dr. London advised against consuming breads and pastas, recommending to avoid refined flours and wheats. He concluded, “Eighty percent of weight control is diet, 20% is exercise. I guarantee you can out-eat any exercise that you do.”
In a follow-up interview with Today, Dr. London reaffirmed his position on soft drinks, acknowledging his provocative term “liquid death” was intended to capture attention. He emphasized that many people may not realize the hidden calories in sugary soft drinks, calling high-calorie beverages a significant concern.
Dr. London is supported by a growing consensus among health experts regarding the risks associated with fizzy drinks. In a discussion on the Zoe podcast, Dr. William Li remarked, “Soda is everyone’s favourite whipping boy. Rightfully so. The preponderance of clinical evidence shows that high consumption of soda is associated with everything from metabolic disease to cardiovascular disease to cancer risk.”
“But is it the sugar? Is glucose that demonic element that we need to crucify? The answer’s no. Soda is not just water; otherwise that’d be just carbonated water. Soda itself contains numerous additives, colors, flavorings, preservatives, and stabilizers… that is accumulated exposure to toxins over time.”
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Jeremy London calls soft drinks “liquid death” due to their health risks.
- He advises against smoking, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, and sugary beverages.
- Many medical experts agree about the dangers of high soda consumption.
- Soft drinks can contribute to various health issues, including metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
- Hidden sugars in soft drinks can lead to unrecognized caloric intake.
FAQ
What did Dr. London mean by “liquid death”?
He uses the term to emphasize the significant health risks associated with consuming soft drinks.
Are soft drinks the only unhealthy beverages?
While soft drinks are particularly concerning, there are other beverages with high sugar content that can also be detrimental to health.
What did Dr. Li contribute to the discussion on soft drinks?
Dr. William Li highlighted the links between soda consumption and serious health risks, including metabolic diseases and cancer.
Why is sugar in soft drinks a concern?
High sugar content can lead to excessive calorie intake and is linked to several long-term health issues.
Can avoiding soft drinks improve health?
Many experts believe that eliminating soft drinks can have positive effects on overall health and wellbeing.
