If you are a soda lover, it could be really sad for you to know that diet soda could make you fat. According to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center, an individual who drinks soda gains three times as much waist as a non-drinker.

The study, published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, studied the effects of drinking diet sodas regularly. The study had included seniors or those who were already 65 years old and above.

The study had begun in 1990s and ended after fourteen years. The study had included more than 700 men and women. The participants were at least 65 years between 1992 and 1996. During the initial phase of the study, vital measurements of the participants were obtained by the researchers. In the remaining duration, the researchers made three follow-ups. In the last follow-up, only 375 participants were alive.

The researchers had compared the vital measurements obtained in every follow-up. They found that participants who drank diet sodas everyday gained about 2.11 cm. The difference was much bigger than the non-drinker participants. According to the researchers, the avid drinkers had a much bigger waistline at 3.04 centimeters.

The researchers said that the biggest issue was that much of the fat was deposited in the waist. People, who drink diet sodas, are prone to belly fat, as per the researchers. They also said that people who have a bigger waist are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The researchers also recommended that people should cut back on artificial sweeteners that are also found in diet sodas. The study has been published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.