Scientists have just stumbled upon a massive discovery about diet sodas that could forever change how you think of the beverage. The study, put out by the American Heart Association, found that there was a strong association between artificially sweetened beverages and cases of dementia and stroke, although more research will be needed to determine why there is this relationship.

The study was published in the journal Stroke, a publication of AHA, and it notes that there was only an association between the two. Scientists don’t know what in artificial sweeteners could possibly cause an increased risk of stroke and dementia. As a result, scientists urge further research to find out if the substance actually causes these ailments.

Strangely enough, there wasn’t a similar association with regular soda or sugary fruit drinks, even though those are often blamed for the obesity epidemic that plagues the United States.

“Our study shows a need to put more research into this area given how often people drink artificially-sweetened beverages,” said Matthew Pase, Ph.D., a senior fellow in the department of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and the Framingham Heart Study.

“Although we did not find an association between stroke or dementia and the consumption of sugary drinks, this certainly does not mean they are a healthy option. We recommend that people drink water on a regular basis instead of sugary or artificially sweetened beverages.”olar Award.