Gardener said, If our study is replicated it would suggest diet soda is not optimal. According to Dr. Patrick Lyden, chief of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, who was an independent observer, My first thought was, The correlation has to be accidental ™. But he added in the same breath that the science looks sound, There still could be some sort of accidental correlation Wait for repeated studies to show a risk and in the meantime, all things in moderation. He advises, An occasional soda never hurt anybody Once or twice a week to me seems to be rational.

Gardener in another study also found high salt intake was linked to a higher risk of stroke. Using the same data, she looked at 2,657 participants of NOMAS, evaluating their salt intake and following them for nearly 10 years.

The team found that 187 ischemic strokes occurred during the study. Those who consumed more than 4,000 milligrams a day of sodium had more than double the risk of ischemic stroke than those who consumed less than 1,500 milligrams a day.

The American Heart Association recommends less than 1,500 milligrams a day. The current U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating less than 2,300 milligrams a day and 1,500 milligrams a day for those who are 51 and older and certain other people like those with high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.