Diet Soda as Health Food?

So we have diet sodas as a healthful part of a diet? I have always been an advocate of low-calorie sodas and other low-calorie drinks to help people reduce liquid calories.

While water is a gold-standard, many people get bored, don't drink it, or substitute high-calorie "clear" liquids. For diabetics, diet sodas have been a huge help to compliance, providing a sweet taste, without sugar that the body cannot metabolize.

While there is abundant debate about the low-calorie sweeteners and their use in all kinds of products, diet soda is here to stay, which can be a good thing for many people. But what role does it play in a healthy daily intake?

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Here's where I am concerned:

Soda manufacturers are now going the "good for you" route. Products like Diet Coke Plus or PepsiCo's Tava, containing vitamins and minerals, send a mixed message to me. The last place to look for nutrients is in a soda. Now, I understand the argument that if people are going to drink diet soda, why not provide some "value added?" I counter that with the idea that we need to work on getting nutrients from foods that contain them naturally, and not distract ourselves from seeking yet one more source of non-food nutrition.

I think we are heading down the wrong path when these "worlds collide." Diet soda is not healthy nutrition. It saves calories, which is always a good thing. Trying to attract consumers by adding isolated nutrients to diet soda, and suggest it as a healthy option, does not ring quite true with me.

What do you think about this trend? I would love to hear your views.
Hey, you non-soda drinkers! Will these products drive you to start drinking diet soda? What about the diet-soda devotees? Will you drink more?