Yes, and yes! Both sugary drinks (of any kind) and diet sodas decrease brain volume, learning and memory. This brand-new Boston University study found that daily diet soda drinkers were 3 times as likely to suffer a stroke or develop dementia as those who did not!
Recent research points to the importance of avoiding regular use of sugary drinks or diet soda. Instead, explore healthy alternatives.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170420162254.htm