Many people wishing to kick the soda habit fall into the trap of drinking diet soda as a substitute. The lure is attractive. You get the same bubbly sweet drink with fewer calories. It can’t be that bad for you, right?
For years, the use of artificial sweeteners has been debated. Some studies state that artificial sweeteners, such as saccharine can be linked to obesity, cancer, and other health issues. Others state that the use of artificial sweeteners in moderation does not have a significant risk to your health. The question then becomes, what is moderation?
Even if you are able to stick to one drink a day, there’s still the question if it’s a healthy alternative, and many say no. There are many reasons for this, including studies that suggest long-term use is harmful to your health. Another reason is that there are simply other alternatives that are better for you. Is it a viable alternative? Yes. But it might not be a healthy one.
Why Diet Soda Might Not Be the Best Choice
- Diet soda might be related to weight gain: Studies suggest that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners the same it does to sugar. This means you will begin to crave more sugary treats.
- Diet soda might confuse our system: Since the body reacts the same to sweeteners as it does sugar, our insulin receptors might have a difficult time discerning between the two and become confused.
- Diet Soda might change how you taste sweets: Studies suggest that long-term use of artificial sweeteners can change how our body reacts to sugary and high-calorie foods.
What Health Concerns Accompany Drinking Diet Soda?
The health concerns surrounding drinking diet soda are many. As listed above, continued use might actually cause you to gain weight. There are also concerns that having just one diet soda a day may significantly increase your risk of Alzheimer’s and stroke. There are also many studies linking both diabetes and heart disease to a significant intake of diet soda.
In the end, the health concerns far outweigh any positives you might receive from drinking diet soda. And the fact remains that diet sodas do not benefit you nutritionally.
Conclusion
Navigating your way through the many thoughts on diet soda can be frustrating. If you look at the issue head-on, ask yourself what if there are alternatives you can drink that have less controversy surrounding their use and you will find the answer is an overwhelming yes.
You can opt for lemonade, tea, or a combination of the two. You might also try sparkling water or kombucha.
Remember, choosing a diet soda every now and then isn’t the end of the world but if you are looking to make a long-term commitment to your health, there are better choices.
