As interest in health and wellness continues to grow, experts are increasingly reminding people that what they drink can be just as important as what they eat.

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Jeremy London recently sparked discussion after revealing four things he says he "absolutely avoids," including one popular beverage he dramatically described as "liquid death."

What does the expert say the worst drink is for your heart?

In a social media video, Dr. London, who is board-certified in vascular, thoracic, and general surgery, listed smoking as his biggest health concern.

"The single worst thing you can do to your body," he said.

He also warned about alcohol, telling followers it is "toxic" to every cell in the body, though he acknowledged that everyone makes their own choices regarding drinking.

However, it wasn't alcohol that earned his harshest criticism.

Soft drinks have a negative impact on your heart, according to an expert. Credit: urbazon / Getty

Instead, Dr. London singled out soft drinks, offering a blunt assessment: "Just don't drink them, period, done."

Heart surgeon explains claim

His comments quickly attracted attention online, and he later expanded on his reasoning during an interview with TODAY. While admitting he may have used dramatic language to make a point, he maintained that sugary fizzy drinks are a major problem.

"I think that soft drinks are just a scourge in our society, and so I was really trying to get some attention," he said.

He added: "Obviously, high-calorie soft drinks and ingesting a lot of calories that people don't realise they're getting with the sugar-based soft drinks is a big no-no."

Research has repeatedly linked soft drink consumption to negative health outcomes. A meta-analysis published by the National Library of Medicine reviewed 88 studies and found "clear associations of soft drink intake with increased energy intake and body weight."

The study also found that people who consume more soft drinks tend to have lower intakes of milk, calcium, and other important nutrients, while facing a greater risk of health conditions such as diabetes.

Dental experts have also raised concerns about fizzy drinks. According to Colgate, their high sugar and acid content can "soften tooth enamel, which can contribute to cavities."

Dr. London's final warning may be difficult for many people to hear. Alongside smoking, alcohol and soft drinks, he also recommends limiting refined carbohydrates such as bread and pasta.

"Avoid the refined flours and wheats," he advised.

He further argued that diet plays a much larger role in weight management than exercise alone.

"I guarantee you can out-eat any exercise you did."

According to Dr. London, around 80% of weight control comes down to diet, with the remaining 20% linked to physical activity.

While many people may not be ready to give up soft drinks, bread or pasta, the surgeon's comments have reignited debate about how everyday dietary choices can affect long-term health.

Featured Image. Credit: urbazon / Getty

If you're a person who enjoys diet soda, then a revelation by a doctor might come as a concern to you.

Sitting down with a sugary drink isn't something to be ashamed of - we're all allowed our little treats in life.

When drinking these drinks is more often than drinking water is probably when the alarm bells should start going off.

However, some people opt for diet versions of their favorite soda for reasons that are their own... but it could all come at a cost.

A prominent California-based gastroenterologist, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, has shared alarming insights about the potential health risks of diet soda.

With over two decades of clinical experience and training from both Harvard and Stanford, Dr. Sethi recently posted a video on TikTok outlining four key reasons to reconsider consuming diet soda.

In the video, Dr. Sethi raised the question of whether diet soda is truly a healthier alternative to regular soda.

He then revealed several lesser-known but concerning facts about the beverage.

Dr. Sethi's first point highlighted a stark finding regarding women's heart health.

"First, women who drink two or more diet sodas daily face a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke," he said.

This statement is backed by a 2019 study from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

According to CNN, the study linked artificially sweetened drinks to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, particularly in women over 50.

Surprisingly, the risk was highest among women with no prior history of heart disease or diabetes.

The second risk Dr. Sethi discussed was related to kidney health.

"The high phosphorus content in diet sodas can contribute to chronic kidney disease," he explained.

Dr. Sethi also warned about diet soda's potential effect on gut health.

"Diet sodas can negatively impact insulin sensitivity and disrupt gut microbiome," he said.

Good gut health plays a critical role in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.

Disruptions to the gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of beneficial bacteria, can make the body more susceptible to disease.

Lastly, Dr. Sethi explained how diet sodas may lead to overeating.

"Diet sodas can increase cravings for high-calorie foods, disrupting appetite control," he noted.

A 2021 study published in JAMA Open Network supports this claim.

Researchers found that sucralose - a common artificial sweetener in diet sodas such as Pepsi One and Diet Mountain Dew - can heighten appetite by triggering stronger neural reward responses in the brain.

This could lead to increased consumption of unhealthy, high-calorie foods.

Dr. Sethi concluded his warning by emphasizing the lack of health benefits in diet sodas: "Ultimately, diet sodas offer no nutritional benefits."

As always, enjoy things in moderation!

Featured image credit: Virojt Changyencham/Getty

A heart surgeon has revealed the six things people should "absolutely avoid" if they don't want to ‘actively poison’ their bodies.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the USA, with 1 in 3 deaths across the nation being due to the illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among these, coronary heart disease, also known as ischaemic heart disease, is the most common type and the top cause of heart attacks globally.

Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon based in Georgia, knows the toll heart disease can take, because he sees it up close every day. Whether he's repairing damaged vessels or performing life-saving bypass surgeries, he's often working with patients whose health declined after years of poor habits.

He told TODAY.com that heart problems don’t usually happen overnight, they build up over time, often silently.

And while some risk factors can’t be controlled, he says there are six everyday things you can avoid to help stay out of his operating room.

1. Smoking/vaping

Top of the list? Smoking, which Dr. London calls “the worst thing you can do for yourself.” Well, that's no surprise...

“If you already have a history of heart disease or a tendency toward atherosclerosis, smoking can accelerate that damage exponentially,” he warns.

He’s also sounding the alarm on vaping, pointing to growing research showing that it may harm heart and blood vessel function in similar ways.

2. Alcohol

Dr. London quit drinking three years ago, and hasn’t looked back. “Alcohol is toxic to every cell in your body,” he said. “I think in the future, alcohol will be viewed the way we see cigarette smoking now.”

He admits it’s a personal choice, but does say: “Whether it’s one drink a night or one a week, it’s still putting a toxic substance into your system.”

3. Soft drinks

Sugary sodas? Hard pass. “I think soft drinks are a scourge,” he said. “People don’t always realize how many empty calories they’re consuming.”

High-sugar beverages not only spike your blood sugar but also contribute to obesity and heart strain over time, per the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.

4. Alcohol-based mouthwash

Surprisingly, your mouthwash could be doing more harm than good, especially if it contains alcohol.

“You can actually raise your blood pressure just by killing off mouth bacteria,” Dr. London explained. That’s particularly risky for anyone already dealing with hypertension.

5. Refined flour products

White bread and pasta may be pantry staples, but Dr. London opts for whole grain alternatives.

Refined flour has been stripped of key nutrients like fibre, iron, and B vitamins, all of which support heart health. Whole grains, on the other hand, help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

6. Ultra-processed foods

“The longer the shelf life, the shorter your life,” London said bluntly.

Packaged, highly processed foods are often packed with additives, salt, and unhealthy fats, and linked to poor gut health and increased cancer risk.

His advice: Stick to simple, whole foods with few ingredients. If your grandmother wouldn’t recognize it as food, maybe don’t eat it.

By ditching these six habits, Dr. London is doing everything he can to protect his heart, and helping others avoid an appointment on his operating table. Because let’s be honest: skipping soda is a small price to pay for dodging open-heart surgery.

Featured image credit: Arctic-Images / Getty Images.