Excessive sugar consumption in general can lead to insulin resistance and disproportionate weight gain. When individuals consume sugary beverages such as soda (even diet soda), they become desensitized to the sweets. Foods and beverages quickly become bland and need to have sugar or sugar substitutes added.
Do yourself a huge favor and avoid adding sugar and sugar substitutes to foods and beverages. Strive to stick to water and selters most of the time. Enjoy a soda or other sweetened beverage on occasion, but start with water first or include water around the same time you consume the sweetened beverage.
Source: Taste perception and implicit attitude toward sweet related to body mass index and soft drink supplementation