'I gave up my beloved Diet Coke - it has changed my life'

A refreshing can of fizzy drink can be a real treat. People all over the globe have bought their favourite drinks from iconic brands for decades.

They include sugary drinks, and sugar-free ones, such as Diet Coke. But just because they're popular, it doesn't mean fizzy drinks are particularly good for our health, even sugar-free ones,

Express deputy lifestyle editor Millie Bull is a big Diet Coke fan. She decided to cut out her favourite beverage - and noticed some surprising results.

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In my opinion, there is nothing better than the sound of opening a cold can of Diet Coke on a warm day - or any day. I loved the caramelised flavour, the bubbles on my tongue and the slight burning sensation as it hit the back of my throat.

And my love of carbonated beverages wasn't just designated for Diet Coke. I'd frequently make trips to the supermarket to buy lemonade, fizzy orange, Pepsi and more.

My dentist had always told me that fizzy drinks-even the sugar-free ones-were bad for my teeth, but I always shrugged off the warning. If they didn't contain sugar, they couldn't be that bad for me, right?

I would have happily continued my love affair with fizzy drinks if it wasn't for my health. When my doctor told me carbonated beverages were now on the banned list of foods and drinks I could no longer consume - along with my morning latte - I was undeniably upset.

However, determined to improve my health, I adhered to the list and completely removed fizzy drinks from my life. The first week was tough. Not only was I missing the flavour but I realised I was missing the caffeine hit as well.

There are 64mg of caffeine in a 500ml bottle of Diet Coke, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland which is more than a 200ml cup of tea (45mg) or instant coffee (60mg). I was somewhat shocked when I found out how much caffeine I was consuming each day when I added it up. 

Roughly, I was consuming just under 200mg of caffeine if you included my morning latte, made with two espresso pods, and my lunchtime Diet Coke. So when I began to develop headaches and feel irritable and tired, I should have known it was caffeine withdrawal.

According to Healthline, caffeine withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from two to nine days. Luckily for me, after a few days, I began to feel like myself again. It has been four weeks since I last drank a fizzy drink and I've experienced several positive effects on my body.

One of the most noticeable differences I have experienced is how much better I sleep. I've always found it difficult to fall asleep but now I drift off in a matter of minutes. I can't contribute this entirely to giving up fizzy drinks as I also kicked my coffee habit but ditching caffeine in general seems to have massively improved my sleeping pattern.

Another huge difference I've noticed is my teeth. I've always had a slight yellow tinge to my teeth due to years of drinking coffee but ditching both drinks has made them noticeably less yellow.

I've also noticed I crave less sweet snacks and "treats". According to a study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, consuming diet sodas and other foods containing artificial sweeteners could increase food cravings in some people. The study found that sucralose can lead to an increased appetite and more "brain reward activity", which means some people are tricked into thinking they are hungry after consuming items with artificial sweeteners.

While I won't be drinking fizzy drinks again, I understand how giving up these delicious beverages for good can be challenging. Some of the best alternatives for carbonated drinks I've found include matcha lattes, peppermint tea, chai lattes and teas, homemade flavoured water, smoothies and juices.