Is diet soda a good idea for weight loss?

Did you know that sodas — even diet ones — may be linked with increased risk factors for heart disease and diabetes? One study found that those who drink one or more sodas a day had about a 50 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome — a potentially lethal combination of excessive fat around the waist, low levels of “good” cholesterol, high pressure and other symptoms.

“On average, soda drinkers (whether diet or regular versions) tend to eat more calories, consume more saturated fat and trans fat, eat less fiber, exercise less and be more sedentary.” Many theories are being considered as to why even diet soda raises the risk factor for metabolic syndrome, including: (a) the fact that soda coloring causes inflammation in animal studies, and (b) the sweet taste from diet drinks causes the person to continue to crave more sweets.

What about the chemicals (e.g., aspartame etc.) being used for sweetening? Are they harmful or not? Do they have carcinogenic properties? There is also some evidence for this.

Bottom line: Try to eliminate soda drinking (diet or non-diet) as the first step to *healthy* weight loss.