There are very few, if any, inherent risks to consuming soft drinks, as it is instead the diet as a whole that can have an impact on healthy eating.

This is according to media director for the British Soft Drinks Association Richard Laming, who indicated that diet drinks can be used as part of a calorie-controlled approach to food.

If consumed properly, they could even have an impact on people hoping to reduce their weight, the expert said.

Mr Laming was responding to claims made at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2011 that people who intake diet soft drinks every day are 61 per cent more likely to suffer a vascular event.

He commented: "The research that inspired the story is not yet at a stage when conclusions can be drawn – it has not been peer-reviewed and published."

Mr Laming added that neither family history of stroke or weight gain had been taken into account.