Which is better for you, cola or diet cola?

The main difference is obviously that cola contains sugar and diet cola contains artificial sweetener - but what are the health implications of each?

By Luis Villazon

Asked by: Bertie Green, London

The main difference is obviously that cola contains sugar and diet cola contains artificial sweetener. In the UK, that sweetener is aspartame and the current scientific consensus is that this additive is safe at the concentrations found in diet drinks. The 35g of sugar – around seven teaspoons – in a can of Coca-Cola, on the other hand, contains 139 calories, which will contribute to obesity and tooth decay. It can also lead to Type II diabetes if you drink too much of it. On balance, diet cola is probably the least bad but neither is actually good for you.

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