Is it Harmful to Drink Diet Soda Every Day?

My blogging partner, John, has admitted that he is addicted to diet sodas. He and I differ strongly on the impact of his habit of consuming 140 ounces of diet soda each day. I think he should cut it down and finally off. He disagrees.

Here is what Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. of the Mayo Clinic had to say on the subject: “Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn’t likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals currently used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there’s no credible evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.

“Some types of diet soda are even fortified with vitamins and minerals. But diet soda isn’t a health drink or a silver bullet for weight loss.

“Although switching from regular soda to diet soda may save you calories, some studies suggest that drinking more than one soda a day — regular or diet — increases your risk of obesity and related health problems such as type 2 diabetes. (Italics mine.)

“Healthier choices abound. Start your day with a small glass of 100 percent fruit juice. Drink skim milk with meals. Sip water throughout the day. For variety, try sparkling water or add a squirt of lemon or cranberry juice to your water. Save diet soda for an occasional treat.”

Health bistro came down more negatively on diet drinks. They said it “Can lead to a higher rate of heart attack and stroke, according to a study revealed Wednesday at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles.

“The so-called “Northern Manhattan Study” of 2,564 soda drinkers implied that those who chugged diet soda daily were 61% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those who abstained from soft drinks.”

Tony