The mixed science on diet sodas, and how to kick your habit

Stand up for the facts! Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. We need your help. More Info Packs of Diet Coke and Coke Zero are displayed on a market shelf in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP) If Your Time is short Large observational studies have found a correlation between diet sodas and negative health outcomes like Type II diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular issues. But short-term controlled experiments haven’t consistently proven the same. Doctors advise against consuming too many added sugars. So if the choice is between full-sugar soda and diet soda, diet is likely a better option. But choosing water or a non-sweetened drink is more nutritionally advisable. To quit a diet soda habit, try replacing the soda with another carbonated or caffeinated beverage, and pair the new drink with an existing routine. And stay hydrated — you may be reaching for a can just because you are thirsty. The research on diet sodas has about as much clarity as a glass of Diet Coke. Studies contradict one another. Some are funded by the beverage industry. The way they are structured can lead to different findings.