Not all public health experts say you must cut out diet sodas completely, however. In response to the recent Stroke study, Rachel K. Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., past chair of the American Heart Associations Nutrition Committee and professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont, said that limiting sugars is still important for health, and until we know more, people should use artificially-sweetened drinks cautiously.
In a statement following the Stroke study, The Calorie Council, an organization representing the diet food and beverage industry, said theres no reason to give up your diet soda habit just yet, because artificial sweeteners have been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration and are deemed safe, and that evidence of their health impacts is still limited.
In the end, the occasional sodawith sugar or artificial sweetenersis probably fine. But your best bet the vast majority of the time, says Avitzur, is to stick with water, plain or sparkling. If you find unflavored water boring, add a splash of bitters with a slice of lemon or lime.
Originally posted here:
The Mounting Evidence Against Diet Sodas - ConsumerReports.org
