It's not been a good few days for diet sodas. A controversial study has suggested that they may increase stroke risk, and Pepsi has been coming under fire for their new slim-look diet can.
The findings from the population-based study are clear - those who reported drinking diet soda daily were more likely to have a cardiovascular event (stroke or heart attack).
However, the study is only preliminary, and has been published as an abstract, not as a piece in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers' methodology has been called into question, on several grounds.
■They used data from a study carried out by questionnaire where participants were only asked about their soda intake at the start of the study period.
■The scientists failed to take into account some factors like family history of cardiovascular disease, and variations in eating habits.
■The numbers of people involved are relatively small.
■The study population had an average age of 69; older people are naturally at more risk of stroke.
