Britons urged to rethink diet drinks after woman reports 'grinding' joint pain

Despite containing no calories, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame-K and sucralose may still set off hormonal and metabolic changes in the body.

These shifts can affect everything from appetite and gut health to heart function and mental wellbeing – raising questions about whether that diet swap is really paying off.

ZAVA has identified 10 lesser-known problems tied to heavy diet soda consumption, and some are genuinely surprising.

They warned that the drinks may actually mess with your body's hunger signals, with studies suggesting artificial sweeteners stimulate the same brain cells as the appetite hormone leptin, potentially raising the bar for feeling satisfied.

Regular diet soda drinkers appear to face higher obesity risk, greater insulin resistance and increased chances of developing type 2 diabetes – despite those "zero sugar" labels.

The mental health connections are concerning, too, with frequent consumption linked to higher depression rates in older adults, particularly women.

Pregnant women should also take note – emerging data indicates children of mothers who regularly consumed artificially sweetened drinks showed lower cognitive scores.

Heart health isn't spared either, with studies connecting regular consumption to cardiovascular disease risk and structural heart changes.

The side effects aren't just showing up in research papers – they're going viral on TikTok too.

Laura Surridge is among a growing number of users sharing their experiences under hashtags like #DietCokeAddict, with some videos racking up millions of views.

"I realised that it was aspartame which was causing the headaches because I ended up going to the doctors for it," she explained.

"It didn't happen straight after I drank it, that's why it took so long for me to realise it was the problem. The symptoms appeared a couple of hours later."

She also experienced pain in her joints, noting: “It felt like my bones were grinding. That’s why I went to the doctor, and everything clicked together.

"When I stopped drinking both Red Bull and Diet Coke, my headaches actually got worse before they got better, but I think that was more of a caffeine-withdrawal thing."

Dr Crystal Wyllie from ZAVA has some clear advice for anyone who's become reliant on these fizzy drinks.

"While diet sodas may seem like a savvy alternative to full-sugar soft drinks, it's important for consumers to be aware of the potential ripple effects," she said.

"Our advice is to treat diet sodas as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit, and to prioritise healthier alternatives where possible."

For those looking to cut back, the expert recommends a gradual approach rather than going cold turkey.

Swapping to flavoured water with cucumber or mint, herbal teas, or sparkling water with fresh fruit can help satisfy that fizz craving.

And if the urge strikes, Dr Wyllie recommends a quick 10-minute walk or a glass of water.