Diet sodas are certainly a health fad of today. Their popularity has soared within the past decade, especially with the introduction of Splenda, which took over for Nutri-Sweet some years ago. It makes sense that so many people frequently drink them. They don’t have the calories of a regular soda, provide a similar taste, and cost exactly the same.
But what if evidence existed that pointed to counter-productive side effects, such as an increase in weight and blood pressure? A February 12 paper in Circulation points to diet soda as a negative variable in recent tests. According to amednews.com, this study “associated drinking one can of diet soda per day with a 34% increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome compared with those who did not drink any carbonated beverages. People who drank the sugar-sweetened versions had a 10% increase in risk.”
Many who read this will be disappointed. However, nothing in the aforementioned study directly proved that synthetically-sweetened drinks were the culprit of such negative gains. It is likely, according to at least one author of the paper, Dr. Lyn Steffan of the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, that diet sodas only temporarily stifle the brain’s desire for the taste of sweetness. While sugar-sweetened sodas are able to satisfy such cravings longer, many diet soda drinkers feel the need to eat more due to their brain’s lack of satisfaction.
What does this mean? Those who rationalize getting an extra piece of dessert because they drink diet soda should think twice. In order for diet sodas to really be a healthy alternative to regular soda, drinkers must consume the other sugary or fatty foods they eat (like everything else) in moderation. Otherwise, drinking diet soda may be harmful rather than helpful.
Take Away: Those who have forced themselves to drink diet soda as a way to lose weight are better off drinking regular soda if they find their sweet tooths are not quenched by the sweetness of a diet drink. While many legitimately prefer the taste of diet soda, people cannot expect to indulge themselves with fatty foods and rich desserts without carrying around a few extra pounds even if they are diet soda drinkers.
Published under: Nutrition, Weight Gain, Weight LossLeave a message or two
This post was written on the Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 2:44 pm and categorized under Nutrition, Weight Gain, Weight Loss. You can follow the ongoing discussion by subscribing to the RSS 2.0. You can leave a reply, or Trackback.
I absolutely agree with this. I find that I am more satisfied and want less sugar when I drink real soda. A good alternative is getting the 100 calorie soda can. I like it because I get the real sugar, but drink less of it.
Nice post.. i agree with this..Diet drinks are marketed to be calorie free or very low in calories, but there are factors that must be taken into consideration. Diet Soda is 100 percent nutrition free as well as calorie free.