Diet sodas probably still better than regular ones

Even though concerns exist regarding the health risks associated with artificial sweeteners, CSPI believespeople are better off drinking diet rather than regular sugar-sweetened sodas. The CSPI says that the health consequences from regularly drinking sugar-laden soft drinks, which include obesity, gout, tooth decay, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, are probably greater.

Water is best - soft drinks with any kind of natural or artificial sweetener commonly contain food dyes and caramel coloring that are contaminated with 4-methylimidazole, a carcinogen. CSPI encourages consumers to drink water, seltzer water (soda water, effervescent mineral water), flavored unsweetened waters, unsweetened iced tea, or seltzer mixed with natural fruit juice.