I gave up most sodas over a year ago when I started becoming more health conscious. Today, I drink two or three Sprites a week, maybe, and no dark colas at all. I feel a lot better, but the headaches and nausea I went through while my body weaned itself off Coke and Cherry Coke were dreadful. I can't imagine drinking them anymore. Today, I weigh 65 pounds less than I did in my "heavy" soda years, a success I also chalk up to eating properly and exercising regularly.

That said, I have never bought into the "Diet Coke will kill you" or "artificial sweeteners will kill you" rumors. No hard scientific basis for either, IMHO. Ben Franklin said, "All things in moderation," and I use that as my guiding philosophy. Drink 26 Diet Cokes a day and your insides may well turn to plastic. One or two, however ...