A meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open stated that replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with low- or no-calorie sweetened beverages might be tied to a slight decrease in weight and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Dr John Sievenpiper, senior study author, said that these alternative low- or no-calorie sweetened beverages might have a role for people eager to manage weight or diabetes risk, though drinking water was still the goal. This meta-analysis states that among having diabetes or who are at risk of developing diabetes, drinks sweetened without sugar might be beneficial.

The current study couldn′t account for long-term effects and was unable to identify which low- or no-calorie sweetened beverage was better. (CNN, March 14, 2022)