Diet drinks: For health-conscious people

In the recent past, diet drinks, a new class of beverage, under the brand name diet refreshment, which was first introduced in 1952, is rapidly becoming a prominent part of the partying subculture among all age groups.

With the increased demand for soft drinks, diet sodas were formulated as an alternative product that had the intent on targeting a different audience.

Initially, diet sodas were designed for diabetics and health-conscious people; however, the popularity increased when the focus shifted to people who desired to lose weight with a reduced calorie drink.

These drinks have been popularized as health drinks among many population groups such as athletes, diabetics, those who want to lose weight, people wishing to improve physical fitness, and other health-conscious people.

Diet drinks contain zero-calorie sweeteners and zero grams of added sugar. They may contain minimal calories from other carbohydrates sources, but most of them have no calories.

Individuals consume diet soda and thoroughly believe it is healthy and safe. However, the chemical sweeteners, like aspartame, it contains can lead to complications down the road. Complications range from weight gain to diabetes, and more.

Recent studies have shown that diet soda/drinks and artificial sweeteners contained in diet soda/drinks may adversely affect glucose levels, and may increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and diabetes, in part, through impairment of glucose and increase in waist circumference (Nature 514: 181–186, 2014, Circulation117: 754–761, 2008, Diabetes Care32: 688–694, 2009).

A study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke, found one daily diet soda puts a person at three times the risk of dementia and stroke compared to someone who drinks less than one a week or none at all. Purdue University found in 2013 diet soda doesn't actually help with weight loss and as a result can lead to stroke due to obesity.

The 2009–2010NHANES survey suggested that∼20% of the US population consumed diet soda/drinks on a given day, and recent data suggest that the consumption of low-calorie sweeteners is increasing. From 2007 to 2008 the percentage of adults consuming diet beverages increased from 19% to 24%.

Diet drinks: For health-conscious people