Arika Hoscheit

Diet sodas and other artificially sweetened beverages are counterproductive when it comes to heart health. Artificially sweetened drinks are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. One study even shows that daily consumption of diet soda may cause a 36% greater risk of metabolic syndrome and a 67% greater risk of type 2 diabetes when compared with non-diet-soda drinkers, these risks are related to the loss of ability to gauge caloric density, increased appetite, disrupted microbiome resulting in glucose intolerance and increased cravings for sugary/energy-dense foods and drinks.

Some studies have been able to show that low to medium levels of circulating ketone bodies as seen in nutritional ketosis can be beneficial to the functioning of the endothelial cells in our vascular system. Protecting our vascular system benefits heart health, also, since obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, it makes sense that a ketogenic diet may indirectly benefit heart health simply by way of weight loss and weight management.

Other studies, on the other hand, have shown increased LDL levels in those following a keto diet, so heart health remains a concern, some theorize that the increased LDL levels are at least in part explained by rapid weight loss causing cholesterol to be mobilized as fat cells shrink.

There is a wide range of ways to approach a ketogenic diet and some are healthier than others, there’s a reason we often hear references to a 'clean' keto diet or a 'dirty' keto diet. While a ketogenic diet is generally very high in fat, some people eat more fat than others and the types of fat and quality of food consumed vary widely from person to person.