Written by Janki Patel
When most people want to lose weight or simply eat healthier, they opt to go on a diet. So, they trade in their potato chips for kale chips, burgers for salads, and most commonly, regular soda for diet soda. Diet soda is a popular carbonated beverage that has calorie-free or low caloric artificial sweeteners. In reality, choosing diet soda over regular soda is not a great option. Despite popular opinion, it actually lacks real benefits and can be incredibly harmful for our bodies.
The artificial sweeteners in diet soda can be extremely manipulative to the body. Indeed, they satisfy your craving for something sweet in your drink, but this satisfaction comes with its repercussions. Normally, our bodies metabolize and store sugar easily. Thus, when there is sugar present in our blood after consuming a meal or a drink, our body is quick to release insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Even though sweeteners lack the natural composition and characteristics of sugar, they can easily pose as sugar, which can confuse our bodies. Hence, when you consume real sugar later on, your body may not know how to react to it as it may think the sugar is an artificial sweetener again. This can consequentially result in heightened blood sugar and possibly lead to many health issues [1].
The artificiality of diet sodas can lead to many illnesses and diseases. In fact, their unnatural productions, in a way, hints at that. For instance, saccharin, a common sweetener used in beverages, is actually made from tar [1]. Moreover, all these artificial sugars can have serious, long-term effects on our bodies. Surprisingly, studies have shown that regular diet soda consumption can lead to diabetes and weight gain, due to the resulting increase in appetite and insulin dysfunction [2]. It is also linked to headaches, depression, and even preterm deliveries in pregnant women [2,3]. Additionally, habitual diet soda consumption can negatively affect your heart down the road. Even drinking one diet soft drink a day can increase your chances of having some form of heart failure, including heart attacks, strokes, and vascular death [3].
It is true that many people turn to diet soda when dieting or when regular soda is not an option. However, the best and safest option will always be pure water, which is highly essential for maintaining a healthy body. If you are craving something bubbly, then try sparkling water instead. In the end of the day, the beverage you consume is entirely up to you, but keep in mind what outcomes these drinks can have.
References:
1. Dellorto, D. 2016. Diet soda may do more harm than good. CNN. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.
2. Gunnars, K. Is Diet Soda Bad For You? The Truth About Diet Drinks. Authority Nutrition. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.
3. Squillace, M. 10 Reasons to Give Up Diet Soda. Health. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.