Complementary and Alternative Medicine practitioners often advocate that diet sodas are regularly consumed by unhealthy individuals, however no strong research evidence has been found to support such claims.

1. The Diet Sodas Debate
Complementary and Alternative Medicine practitioners often
advocate that diet sodas are regularly consumed by unhealthy
individuals, however no strong research evidence has been
found to support such claims. So the question arises whether
avoidance of regular consumption of diet sodas is valid lifestyle
advice.

2.  Diet sodas include calorie free carbonated beverages
sweetened with:
 aspartame
 sucralose
 acesulfame-potassium
 other non-caloric or minimally caloric sweeteners

3.  A study from 2009 (Nettleton et al) showed that there was no
significant differences seen on investigating the effect of other
non-caloric drinks and diet soda on weight loss. During this
intervention study, all other dietary factors remained constant
and controlled. Therefore, it is acceptable to presume that
lifestyle dietary habits are a stronger contributing factor to
weight rather than the beverage (diet soda) itself.

4.  A recent 2012 research study known as the Northern
Manhattan study, investigated the correlation between diet
soda and vascular events. Results suggested the presence of
a weak correlation between the two variables. However, such
results should be interpreted with great care as the trial
participants were all categorised as unhealthy.

5.  Conversely, other studies have provided evidence for the
negative impact of diet and regular soft drinks on health. See
Apple A Day Rx previous blog which indicates that these diet
soda drinks are associated with metabolic syndrome,
coronary heart disease and diabetes.

6.  Whilst one may argue that there is no direct evidence of the
effect of soft drinks on vascular deterioration, the general
research evidence of regular consumption of diet sodas
concurs with the Lifestyle advice given by the Complementary
and Alternative Medicine practitioners:

7.  Consumption of artificial sweeteners can increase the desire
for more sugary foods which have negative effects on health
 Artificial sweeteners can result in individuals underestimating
the calorific intake of foods and drinks
 Diet soft drinks have an adverse relationship with
cardiometabolic health as shown by a recent 2015 research
study by Crichton et al who stated, "Even small increases in
abdominal obesity ... have been associated with significant
increases in cardiometabolic risk factor levels"

8. THANKS