Two new studies aim to give diet soda lovers a wakeup call

If you're a fan of diet soda, two new studies suggest that those who imbibe in calorie-free sodas may have significantly poorer health than those who don't.

One 10-year study from the University of Texas in the United States revealed that people who drank two or more diet sodas a day gained 70 percent more abdominal fat than those in the study who didn't drink diet soda.

Abdominal fat is a major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, as well as other chronic conditions, the researchers said.

Another study from the same university found that the artificial sweetener aspartame raised blood sugar levels in mice prone to diabetes.

"Data from this and other prospective studies suggest that the promotion of diet sodas and artificial sweeteners as healthy alternatives may be ill-advised," said study researcher Helen P. Hazuda in a statement. "They may be free of calories, but not of consequences."

A study released earlier this year found that diet soda drinkers also face a higher risk of heart attack and stroke than people who do not drink any soda. The study examined 2,564 people in Manhattan and found that those who reported consuming diet fizzy drinks daily had a 61 percent higher risk of vascular events than people who said they did not drink any soda at all.

"Healthier choices abound," states the Mayo Clinic in the US. "Start your day with a small glass of 100 percent fruit juice. Drink skim milk with meals. Sip water throughout the day. For variety, try sparkling water or add a squirt of lemon or cranberry juice to your water. Save diet soda for an occasional treat."

Both new studies were presented on June 25 at the American Diabetes Association in San Diego, California.

More thoughts on diet soda and your health: http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/is-diet-soda-bad-for-you-1250/