Everyone is aware that soad contains high amounts of sugar that is problematic for our overall health. Many people lean on diet soda as a healthier alternative to still satisfy that sweet craving without consuming hundreds of calories. However, various studies have indicated that there's a link between diet soda and serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and stroke. Even though diet soda is calorie free, it can end up being worse for you than sugary drinks. Don't let marketing strategies from corporations fool you. Learn more about the dangers of drinking too much diet soda and why it might not be the right option. What is Diet Soda? Diet soda impersonates the taste of regular soda without the large amounts of added sugar. Instead, it includes artificial sweeteners to develop the same taste. Artificial sweeteners contain zero calories and can help you reduce your caloric intake. They include saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose. In the past, diet soda has been marketed as a healthier option compared to regular soda and a way to help lose weight, which is why many people see diet soda as a healthier choice. However, this is not the case and numerous studies have indicated that diet soda can lead to an increased risk of multiple medical conditions. Is Diet Soda Bad For You? Diet soda as a replacement for sugar in regular soda poses a whole new problem for our bodies. It may offer a short term solution to cut calories, but our bodies won't be fooled for long. Studies suggest that the consumption of fake sweeteners mess with our bodies' abilities to process the calories from sweet things. This makes it harder for us to metabolize the sugars we get from other sources such as candy, cookies, or even fruit. Your brain chemistry also plays a role in this. The sweetness from the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may make your brain expect a calorie boost. When no calories enter the body, that could trigger your appetite and lead you to eat more or crave something sugary. Although diet soda has no calories, sugar, or fat, it has been linked to many serious health condition such as: Heart disease: Research has found that people who regularly drank artificially sweetened beverages had a higher risk of heart failure and stroke, versus people who avoided diet beverages. Diabetes: Another study found that consuming one serving of an artificially sweetened drink a day is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Dementia & Stroke: Diet soda also has been found to increase risk of dementia. Research from the American Heart Association found that participants who consumed at least one artificially sweetened beverage a day were more likely to develop dementia. Obesity: Diet soda can increase your craving for sweets because it changes how your body associates sweetness with caloric intake. In turn, your body craves more sugary foods which can lead to weight gain and eventually obesity. Tooth Decay: Don't think diet soda is better for your teeth because it has no sugar in it. According to Colgate, diet soda is acidic, which contributes to enamel erosion at about the same rate as regular soda. How To Cut Down It's no secret that diet soda isn't a great alternative to regular soda. If you're drinking diet soda everyday, it might not be feasible to cut it off cold turkey. To start cutting down on your intake of diet soda, it's important to understand why you're drinking it in the first place and find a suitable alternative. For some, diet soda offers a quick burst of energy from the caffeine consumption. Instead, try going for an iced coffee (black) or a cup of tea. Both provide a good source of energy as well as multiple health benefits. If you're drinking diet soda because you enjoy the carbonation, try adding in flavored seltzers into your day. Seltzers are calorie free and will give you that sense of carbonation you're looking for. Try to limit your intake of diet soda to once a week instead of everyday. By doing this, you'll lower your risk of conditions such as diabetes and obesity. The Bottom Line Like most things in life, diet soda consumption should be done in moderation. It's clear that diet soda can impact your health when overconsumed, so be more mindful about how much of it you're drinking everyday. Since diet soda offers zero nutritional value, and could lead to overeating, it's best to explore other alternatives that could have a better impact on your weight and overall health. Author byline: Brooke Kelly is a freelance writer and business journalist from New York City. When she's not working, you can find her travelling, jamming to music, and hiking with her corgi.
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