Diet drinks have been linked to weight gain. While diet drinks often seem like ideal alternatives to sugary sodas, it turns out that they may not be any better. New research shows that people who regularly consume diet drinks have an increased BMI and a higher risk of developing heart disease. Belly fat in particular, seems to be linked to diet drinks, which is risky because a high waist circumference increases the odds of developing type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and other health problems. While it’s possible that those who drink diet soda are simply eating more sugary foods in addition to these beverages, scientists also believe that artificial sweeteners may be negatively impacting gut health as well.