Health risk of diet drinks. Evidence here.

They are all around us when we go to the shops. And now most fizzy drinks come in "diet" form too - sometimes described as "lite".

However, a recent study has experts warning of the danger surrounding these drinks, and found just two a day raise the risk of dying young by a quarter.  They concluded that Brits should consider ditching soft drinks and switching to water.

The World Health Organisation research found the dangers from guzzling artificially sweetened pop were up to three times greater than from regular sugary drinks. The study, involving more than 450,000 people described the findings as "concerning".

Fans of drinks such as Diet Coke, Pepsi Max, Coco Cola Zero, Sprite Zero etc, see chances of dying from a heart attack or stroke rise more than half, compared with those who avoid them. Two glasses of diet drinks a day raise the early death risk by 26%.

The study findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, was discussed at the European Society of Cardiology in Paris, which had the largest gathering of heart experts.  "The message is, drink water" they concluded.

Are there benefits to drinking diet soda drinks?  Well, not really.  However, if we do see any good, it does take a deficit of around 3500 calories to lose one pound of body fat, on average. If you already drink fizzy drinks, then switching to a diet version might help you get towards the calorie deficit you need to lose weight. Replacing one can of regular soda with a diet version can save around 150 calories, and that can add up over the week. But really this is still not great.

HMHB says:

Past studies suggest sweeteners may affect blood vessels and cause weight gain. We should also add that fizzy drink makers say all soft drinks are safe within a balanced diet.

And that is the crux. They should be a treat - we all enjoy a fizzy drink sometimes. But as part of a healthy lifestyle they should remain a treat - something that you have occasionally. Many say that water is boring. Just find a no added sugar squash to give it flavour. And that is much much cheaper than buying can drinks.

You have one body, and it is your responsibility to ensure in a behave in the best possible way to look after it.