Are sugar drinks better for you than diet drinks?

Given insulin, diabetes, obesity etc....what is preferable for the body if you had to chose one? Drinks sweetened with sucralose, aspartame, etc, or to just have soda's or fresh orange juice because they're natural is the decision I'm trying to make. For example a gl of natural orange juice might have 30g of sugar (8 teaspons - more than a soda of the same serving). On the other hand it is natural. I've heard that artificial sweeteners raise insulin levels (anyone have scientific studies?)....so if artificial sweeteners spike insulin, what's the whole point? And does it mean diabetics shouldn't drink diet drinks? Problem in this area is there's lots of information saying artificial sweeteners are safe...lots of info saying they're toxic and will kill you. However, sugar at the levels consumed in the modern diet isn't good for you either. But is the sugar preferable anyway?