Diet Sodas and weight gain

     There has been a ton written over the last few years about the dangers of artificial sweeteners, especially in diet sodas, and their link to weight gain.  I'll be the first to admit, when I was obese I drank a ton of diet soda.  Usually, I did so with a huge meal.  I have heard so many theories and I just don't know what to believe.
     Here is what I do know;  most of us do not drink enough water.  Water is necessary for life and diet sodas are not.  When you look at it that way, you have to admit that diet sodas probably don't belong on the menu, at least not in the portions most of us drink them.  Over the last month and a half I have eliminated them from my diet all together and I have to tell you, I don't miss them.  I have had two servings of regular soda during that time, both of them only 8 oz, and I have had lots and lots of water.  I've also had green tea and fresh fruit and vegetable juice.
     When you consider all the great beverages out there that are beneficial, isn't it silly to be debating whether something is neutral?  If there is a chance its hurting your health, shouldn't you just can it?  (Pardon the pun.)
     Out of curiosity, I googled the effects of diet soda on weight and found this very fascinating article on Webmd.  Rather than try to paraphrase it, here's the link.  I encourage you to take five minutes and read this fair, balanced assessment of the diet soda debate.  As for myself, I'm skipping them, but read the article before you decide.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-sodas-and-weight-gain-not-so-fast