This study recently published by the Journal of the American Medical Association says no to drinking soft drinks. I am sure many folks will read this as "do not drink soft drinks in those 10 European countries."
Association Between Soft Drink Consumption and Mortality in 10 European Countries:
Findings: In this population-based cohort study of 451 743 individuals from 10 countries in Europe, greater consumption of total, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened soft drinks was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Consumption of artificially sweetened soft drinks was positively associated with deaths from circulatory diseases, and sugar-sweetened soft drinks were associated with deaths from digestive diseases.
Meaning: Results of this study appear to support ongoing public health measures to reduce the consumption of soft drinks.