Well, I don't generally add equal (aspartame) to anything but...I like diet sodas. So...if I was drinking them before starting a low carb diet, I don't mind drinking them after. Unless...

...if they stall weight loss on a low carb diet, it is kind of self defeating. So in that context, I was really narrowing in on it's affect on low carb dieting and none of the other health issues.

Personally, I really think the extra weight I'm trying to shed is probably far worse to my health than any artificial sweetener. Unfortunately, life causes death. Probably impossible to run away from everything that might be detrimental.