Diet Soda Linked to Stroke, Heart Attack: Is Anything Safe to Drink?

(CBS/AP) Maybe your best bet is water.

That's what the experts are saying in light of new research that raises concern about diet soda. It's not proof of harm, but it suggests that people who drink the stuff every day have higher risks for stroke and heart attack than those who drink no soda, diet or otherwise.

The findings come from a federally funded study of about 2,500 adults in the New York City area.

Why might diet soda be risky? Doctors have no explanation. It could be that people who drink lots of it also fail to exercise, weigh more or have other risk factors like high blood pressure and smoking. However, the researchers took these factors into account and found the trend remained.

The study was discussed Wednesday at an American Stroke Association conference in Los Angeles.