The Truth Behind Diet Sodas
Consumers try out diet sodas because they believe it is the healthier version of the guilt drink that they buy from the supermarket. But think again, because diet sodas that claim to be free from calories, otherwise known as “zero calories” are actually bad for the health.
Nutrition Fiction
There is a variety of brand names used to label diet sodas, and they are, for instance: Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero. The attractiveness of the names will easily make one think that they are less harmful since they contain minimal calories, while still being able to enjoy the pleasures of drinking Coke. Especially during the spring and summer season, sales for such products really picks up, not to mention jingles of songs that go alongside.
Let’s start with the Diet Coke. The nutrition facts of this brand say that it contains zero calories and zero calories from fat. There are also no total carbs and no protein content, aside from the 40mg of sodium. Ingredients include caffeine, carbonated water, natural flavors, citric acid, and aspartame among many others. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in replacement of sugar.
Meanwhile, your dose of Coca-Cola Zero likewise contains the same nutritional information. It also possesses the same ingredients, with the only difference being that Acesulfame potassium is added to aspartame, along with potassium benzoate.
But let’s forget these technical stuff for now, and focus on the why we are discussing this with you right now. The label looks innocent and promising, but in fact, these products actually do you more harm than good. Experts agree that despite the label saying that it contains zero of the calories and other components, these products still actually have a lessened version of what is included in the regular labels.
It’s Bad, It’s Bad, It’s Bad
According to the research published on Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, diet soda consumers will suffer the “same health issues” as those people who are into regular softdrinks. Purdue University conducted the study.
“Honestly, I thought that diet soda would be marginally better compared to regular soda in terms of health,” said Susan Swithers, a behavioral neuroscientist and author of the opinion piece published on the same platform where the research was introduced.
“But in reality, it has a counterintuitive effect,” she added.
Much to your surprise, the idea of the diet sodas having “zero calories” will further urge the drinker to take more of them because of this content. According to CNN diet and fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis, food and beverages that have minimal carbohydrate content will trigger hunger and the person’s craving for more sugar.
Health Risks
Without asking any specialist, you may think that sugary drinks that only cause significant weight gain. True enough, but there is more to them that it meets the eye. University of Texas researchers found out that a decade-long intake of these types of beverages had a 70 percent greater increase in waist line compared with those who do not drink them at all. Furthermore, individuals who have two or more glasses of the bubbly drink can have, take note, 500 percent greater increase!
Weight gain is just one, but literally, it can target every major organ in the body. Studies have also found that diet sodas may increase the chances of getting heart diseases such as stroke and even vascular death. Diet sodas also have a negative correlation to your psychological well-being, as it may also lead to depression.
Your bone health is never spared. Researches at Tufts University discovered that drinking regular and diet soda among men increases their chances of acquiring osteoporosis. Women may also suffer from lower bone mineral density on their hip part particularly with their intake. The exact ingredients that these bottles have also damage the teeth.
Other impacts include increased risk for diabetes and frequent headaches. So, should you stop drinking sodas? As much as possible, yes and there are several sources where you can get the same nutritional value — if there is — which are healthier and safer. But this does not mean that we discourage you to. Take them in moderation and be mindful of your health.
NatriSweet’s Nutrition Fact
The body needs ample amount of carbohydrates, calories, and even sugar, let’s admit to that. The lack thereof also causes a lot of problems. Here at NatriSweet, we offer you sweeteners that are all-natural and contain zero calories as they come from herbal sources. Stevia is a plant that mimics the effects of sugar without all the unhealthy side effects.
As you go checking out our products, you can be introduced to a set of Stevia Liquid Drops that come in different flavors. NatriSweet also provides a Stevia Powder that can be used in the kitchen for baking and even as an alternative sweetener to coffee and hot chocolates. Check us out online!
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References:
http://www.cell.com/trends/endocrinology-metabolism/fulltext/S1043-2760(13)00087-8
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/10/health/diet-soda-may-do-more-harm-than-good/index.html
https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/coca-cola/diet-coke-(can)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2016/04/18/diet-coke-vs-coca-cola-zero_n_1199008.html