Dietitian Says 1+ Daily Diet Sodas Carry Risks as 2022 Review Found Modest Weight Benefits
Updated
Updated · health.yahoo.com · Oct 25
Dietitian Says 1+ Daily Diet Sodas Carry Risks as 2022 Review Found Modest Weight Benefits
2 articles · Updated · health.yahoo.com · Oct 25
Summary
A registered dietitian said diet soda is generally safe for most people in moderation, but not something to drink multiple times a day or rely on as a main source of hydration.
FDA-approved sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K remain within established safety limits for most consumers, though people with PKU should avoid aspartame and some sugar alcohols can cause digestive upset.
A 2022 meta-analysis found replacing sugary drinks with low- or no-calorie versions produced small reductions in body weight, body fat and liver fat, making diet soda a reasonable step-down from regular soda.
A 2024 meta-analysis of 12 studies covering more than 1.2 million people linked one or more diet drinks a day to higher risks of death, cardiovascular disease and stroke, but the evidence was observational rather than proof of causation.
Water and other unsweetened drinks remain the preferred default, with the dietitian framing diet soda as an occasional treat or transition tool rather than a health drink.