A woman who has made it to the age of 104 swears that the secret to her longevity is drinking Diet Coke every day. Theresa Rowley, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrated her birthday with a cake on January 1.

'When I was 100, I thought I'd never be 104,' she told WZZM. 'Then I turn 101, and nothing happens... Here I am 104, and still nothing happens.'

The care home resident has revealed she consumes at least one can of the soda a day.     

'I drink it because I like it,' she explained. 'I'm going shopping Wednesday, and I need more Diet Coke. I have a bag full of empty Diet Coke cans that I need to return to buy more Diet Coke.'

Diet Coke was launched in the US in 1982 – when Illinois-born Ms Rowley would have been 68. But scientists would disagree that the beverage had helped give her another 36 years of life – diet soda has repeatedly been linked to obesity, diabetes, stroke and dementia in studies.

Scientists say they should no longer be regarded as the healthier alternative and urge the public to stick to water or milk.

The study of almost 4,400 adults by Boston University in April this year also suggests diet drinks are more likely to cause strokes and dementia than those full of sugar.

There was no link between sugary beverages and either of the illnesses – although the researchers aren't encouraging us to drink them either.

The team believe the artificial sweeteners including aspartame and saccharine maybe affecting the blood vessels, eventually triggering strokes and dementia.

Source: Daily Mail