It's not known if drinking diet soda every day is harmful. The evidence on diet soda's health effects isn't clear.
A diet soda is the low- or no-calorie version of a drink where sugar is replaced with a nonsugar sweetener.
People may choose diet soda to help manage blood sugar levels, lower the risk of tooth decay or manage weight. But it doesn't appear that sugar substitutes can help people lose or maintain weight over a long time.
What is known is that diet soda typically doesn't have ingredients that your body needs. Other choices that give your body a health boost are water, sparkling water, seltzer, skim milk, and unsweetened tea or coffee.
Show References
- Duyff RL. Carbs: Sugars, starches and fiber. In: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 5th ed. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2017.
- 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Accessed Sept. 5, 2024.
- Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240046429. Accessed Sept. 5, 2024.
- Artificial sweeteners and cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/artificial-sweeteners-fact-sheet. Accessed Sept. 5, 2024.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/diet-soda/faq-20057855