Diet Coke Warning: New Serious Health Risk Revealed

According to a new study, diet soda and other sugar-free sodas may increase your risk of deadly conditions like heart disease and stroke by 10 percent.

Less than one can a day could be enough to cause harm to your health.

Millions of people worldwide are choosing the sugar-free version of beverages as a “healthier option” because they have zero calories.

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But scientists at France’s National Institute of Health say artificial sweeteners shouldn’t be viewed as safe substitutes for sugar.

“This study suggests an association between higher consumption of artificial sweeteners and increased risk of heart disease,” said Dr. Mathilde Touvier in the British Medical Journal.

“Artificial sweeteners are in thousands of food and beverage brands worldwide.

“However, they remain a controversial issue and are currently being re-evaluated by health authorities.”

The study found that 77.6 mg of artificial sweetener per day was the average for a “heavy consumer,” with an average can of carbonated diet drink containing 140 mg.

This means that even half a can a day can lead to health problems.

Data from 130,000 French citizens revealed that a third of people regularly consume the sugar-free alternatives, which contain aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

The study also found that top users of artificial sweeteners had a 10 percent higher rate of heart disease than those who did not.

Of concern, top users had a 30 percent higher stroke rate than low users.

“Consumed by millions of people every day, these food additives should not be viewed as a healthy and safe alternative to sugar,” Touvier said.

The British National Health Service (NHS) says that all sweeteners in the European Union are subject to “a rigorous safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before they can be used in food and drink”.

Artificial sweeteners are safe to consume and can help prevent tooth decay, control blood sugar levels and reduce our calorie intake, according to the NHS.

Tracy Parker of the British Heart Foundation says more research needs to be done on sweeteners so people are aware of the consequences of their consumption.

“Approval before they can be added to food is a rigorous process, so you can be sure they’re safe to eat,” Parker said.

“While these results shouldn’t cause undue concern, it’s always a good idea to look at the amount of sugar and sweeteners in your diet.”