A prominent cardiologist has issued a stark health warning, revealing the common type of beverage he has completely eliminated from his own diet based on alarming new research.
Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, a US-based heart specialist with a substantial following on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, regularly shares health advice drawn from his clinical experience. His latest revelation about so-called 'healthy' drinks has gone viral, amassing over a million views.
The 'Biggest Lie in Your Fridge'
In a powerful online video, Dr. Yaranov stated, 'After years in cardiology, this is why I don't touch "diet" drinks anymore.' He directly challenged the perceived health benefits of these beverages, calling '"Zero sugar"' the 'biggest lie in your fridge.'
He elaborated that while people are often told diet sodas are the better option for weight management or blood sugar control, new data contradicts this long-held belief. 'You’ve been told diet sodas are the healthier choice - the "better" option when you’re watching your weight or your blood sugar. But new data say otherwise,' he wrote.
Shocking Study Findings on Liver Health
The cardiologist referenced a significant new study presented at UEG Week 2025, which analysed data from 123,788 UK Biobank participants who had no pre-existing liver conditions.
Researchers assessed beverage consumption using detailed 24-hour dietary questionnaires and examined the links between sugar-sweetened drinks, low- or non-sugar alternatives, and the development of liver disease.
The findings were startling. People who consume diet or zero-sugar beverages daily face a higher risk of liver disease than those who drink sugary versions.
'Let that sink in - the fake sugar hit harder than the real thing,' Dr. Yaranov commented. He explained that artificial sweeteners appear to alter gut metabolism and how the liver handles fat, leading to an approximate 60 percent higher risk of metabolic liver disease.
For context, he noted that the risk increase for sugary drinks is about 50 percent, while water remains the safest choice by a significant margin.
'So next time you reach for that "zero guilt" can - remember: "zero sugar" doesn’t mean zero impact,' he warned. 'Your liver can tell the difference.'
A History of Debunking Health Myths
This is not the first time Dr. Yaranov has challenged popular health misconceptions. He previously went viral for warning that a outwardly 'shredded' and athletic physique does not guarantee internal health.
He described treating patients who look like 'a statue. Shredded. Vascular. Peak performance,' but whose internal vascular health was severely compromised.
He specifically highlighted the dangers of extreme high-protein diets, such as the carnivore diet, which he says can wreak havoc on the cardiovascular system. The effects include sky-high LDL (bad) cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and premature atherosclerosis—the early development of artery-clogging plaques.
'I've cared for "fit" 35-year-olds with heart attacks. No symptoms. No warning. Just a ticking time bomb,' he revealed, adding the crucial reminder that 'Athletic does not mean healthy. Low body fat does not mean low risk. And a six-pack doesn't protect you from a plaque rupture.'
