Diet soda promises the sweetness and fizz of regular soda without the sugar or calories.
That can make it seem like the obvious choice, especially if you're trying to cut back on added sugar, manage your blood sugar or lose weight.
But sugar-free doesn't automatically mean healthy.
"Diet soda can be a useful substitute for someone who drinks a lot of regular soda, but it still isn't the best choice for everyday hydration," says Christelle Nimba, APRN, with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. "How it affects you may depend on how much you drink, which ingredients it contains and what it replaces in your diet."
Drinking one occasionally probably isn't going to cause a major health problem. But making it your primary beverage may come with some unwanted effects.
So, what side effects can drinking diet soda have on your body Here's what to know.
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