A cardiologist has revealed the type of drink that he will never consume again after years in his profession.
A TikTok video shared by Dr. Dmitry Yaranov (@heart_transplant_doc) shows a clip of himself wearing surgical scrubs and walking into theater. However, the footage itself isn’t what has grabbed the attention of 1 million viewers; instead, it is the text and caption.
The heart transplant cardiologist cited a study in his caption and explained that the findings are the reason why he doesn’t touch diet drinks anymore.
New Findings on Diet and Sugary Drinks
The study published in October and shared by Yaranov in the caption reveals that both sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (LNSSBs) are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Researchers tracked about 124,000 adults for around 10 years and found that people who drank a lot of sugary soft drinks or “diet”/low-sugar versions were more likely to develop fatty liver disease linked to MASLD. Drinking over about a can a day was tied to a higher risk for both types, and diet drinks were also linked to a higher chance of dying from liver disease. Both drink types were associated with more fat in the liver. Replacing either kind with water lowered risk, while swapping sugary for diet drinks did not.
Why ‘Diet’ Doesn’t Always Mean Healthier
It’s only natural to think anything that says “diet” on it is the healthier option. But research has revealed time and time again that diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to a number of health concerns such as:
Despite this, about one-fifth of the U.S. population consume diet drinks on a given day, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No Need for ‘Total Avoidance’
Newsweek discussed the study with Dr. Hal Brindley, a liver specialist and gastroenterologist at HCA London Bridge Hospital. He said: “While this study links low-calorie and artificially sweetened beverages to MASLD, further research is required to confirm the underlying mechanisms. These may include appetite stimulation from sweet tastes or interactions with the gut microbiome. However, obesity and Type 2 Diabetes remain the primary drivers of disease progression.
“Currently, the data does not support a need for total avoidance. Instead, a moderate intake is advisable, particularly given the lack of evidence quantifying specific risk thresholds in otherwise healthy normal weight individuals.”
TikTok Users Push Back
While Yaranov vows never to consume a diet drink again, many TikTok users aren’t concerned.
“Nothing wrong with drinking a diet soda here and there. It’s the people who drink 6 plus cans a day like it’s water will be affected. Too much of ANYTHING can affect us. Everything in moderation is fine,” said one user.
Another wrote: “Diet sodas will still prevent weight gain which leads to a HUGE amount of other health problems- including cardiovascular ones.”
Brindley told Newsweek that there is not enough evidence to suggest that “an occasional fructose sucrose-sweetened or diet soda poses a significant threat,” for individuals who are a healthy weight with a balanced diet. However, he still advises moderation.
Newsweek is waiting for Dr. Dmitry Yaranov to provide a comment.
Reference
“Artificially Sweetened and Sugary Drinks Are Both Associated with an Increased Risk of Liver Disease, Study Finds.” EurekAlert!, https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1100130. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.