A diet-soda stroke? Study says zero-calories equals risk

Think you're being healthy by drinking diet soda?

Maybe not.

A study described at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference concluded there could negative consequences associated with consuming too many sugar substitutes, including a higher risk of vascular events.

CNN reports salt intake was also associated with a higher risk of stroke.

Still, the study is controversial. Some point out that participants reported how much diet soda they consumed voluntarily, meaning results don't stem from a controlled setting.

"There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that diet soda uniquely causes increased risk of vascular events or stroke," the American Beverage Association said in a statement.

Researchers used voluntary participants to examine factors related to stroke and heart attacks. About 900 participants at said they drank no diet soda, and about 160 said they consumed more than one diet soda every day.