Full disclosure: A lot of journalists at CNN drink diet soda. So when we saw a new study suggesting that artificially sweetened beverages are just as bad for you as sugar-sweetened drinks, we, and our readers, bubbled over with questions.
Are artificial sweeteners used in soft drinks and foods safe? Will they make us fat? How much is too much?
Science doesn't have all the answers yet, but we spoke to researchers who had some clues.
Of course, you can always avoid the controversy altogether by replacing soda with water or dessert with fresh fruit. But if you're going to consume artificial sweeteners, we thought you should know the answers to some key questions:
Read - Real or fake sugar: Does it matter?
Previously:
How I kicked my Diet Coke habit
What is high-fructose corn syrup?
With all the controversy around artifical sweetners, I've been looking for a product with the fewest "cons". It seems that all the substitutes have a significant aftertaste which turns most people off. There are a couple things that seem important. (1) reduce the amount of chemicals used and (2) minimized the aftertaste. I've finally found a product that does both these things and its pretty amazing. FireAngel sweetner is a relatively new product that cut way back on the amounts used yet was able to keep the sweetness. The taste is very close to sugur without the metalic or bitter aftertaste. You mix a pre-measured amount with water and 1-2 drops for a cup of coffee.
Been drinking diet sodas for so long now that I don't care for the taste of sugar in my beverages anymore – unless it's a c0cktail. Artificial sweeteners don't make you fat. More calories in than out makes you fat.
Don't care for diet sodas, that apsartame aftertaste is weird. I'll stick with the Mexican and 'Throwback' sodas, those use real sugar and taste WAY better than either diet or HFCS sodas.