Should I Drink Diet Pop?

Sugar is a major source of calories.

Fewer Calories

Regular sweetened pop drinks contain significant amounts of sugar and are full of calories, according to Preventdisease.com. These calories can lead to weight gain, and they can make it hard for a person to lose weight if he already has a problem.

Sweeteners Raise Concerns

A lot of uncertainty exists about the health effects of diet pop, Fooducate.com reports. Researchers aren't sure if sweeteners used in these drinks contribute to serious medical conditions. Some doctors believe sweet flavors without caloric content might confuse the body's metabolism. Other doctors think the overuse of artificial sweeteners might deaden taste buds.

Bottom Line

Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky prefers people drink fruit juice or water rather than any kind of soda. However, if people want an occasional treat, diet soda will save them some calories over regular soda, she writes.

References

• Prevent Disease: The Facts, Stats and Dangers of Soda Pop
• Mayo Clinic: Diet Soda: Is It Bad for You?
• Fooducate: Three Reasons to Rethink that Diet Coke You're About to Drink