When you’re popular, people are going to talk—and Diet Coke happens to be the most popular diet cola in the entire world. So what’s behind the rumors that Diet Coke will give you cancer, make you gain weight, or flat-out kill you? Like many gossipy tales, there’s a shred of truth behind some of these notions, but they don’t come close to telling the complete story.
For starters, you should know that some of the potential health problems that have been associated with Diet Coke also apply to other diet colas, including Diet Pepsi and lesser-known brands you might find on the shelf at your local supermarket. Such concerns also pertain to a wider variety of “diet” foods—including light yogurt, and sugar-free chewing gum, as well as diet drinks that aren’t colas at all.
