If you’re trying to lose weight, you may find yourself reaching for diet drinks, such as Diet Coke.
But a new study has warned that drinking low-calorie beverages can actually lead to weight gain.
Researchers from the George Washington University have revealed that youngsters who drink low-calorie drinks tend to consume around 200 extra calories a day than those who drink water.
Dr Allison Sylvetsky, who led the study, said: “These results challenge the utility of diet or low-calorie sweetened beverages when it comes to cutting calories and weight management.
“Our findings suggest that water should be recommended as the best choice for kids and teens."
In the study, the researchers looked at the diets of 7,026 children and teens from 2011 until 2016.
The analysis revealed that participants who drank diet sodas consumed around 196 extra calories a day than water-drinkers.
Meanwhile, those who drank sugary beverages consumed an extra 312 calories a day.
The researchers hope the findings will encourage youngsters to ditch either sugary beverages or diet drinks, in favour of good old water.
For a healthy alternative to sugary sodas or diet drinks, Dr Sylvetsky suggests flavored sparkling water with a splash of 100 percent fruit juice or water with a few pieces of fruit mixed in.
