Is Diet Soda Really That Bad For You?

Let’s talk about diet soda…

If you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you’ve probably heard some conflicting info about diet soda. Some people say it’s a great way to enjoy the taste of soda without all the sugar and empty calories, while others will say it’s even worse for you than regular soda. While some such as myself say “you take my crispy Diet Coke from my cold, dead hand”. WHO DO WE LISTEN TO?!

First of all, let’s break down what diet soda even is. Diet soda is a carbonated beverage that is sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or stevia instead of sugar. Because diet soda doesn’t contain sugar, it has much fewer calories than regular soda. It is also preferably caffeinated to keep me alive.

So, is it really that bad for? Short answer, it depends!

Some studies have suggested that people who drink diet soda regularly are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity. Other studies have linked diet soda to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems. And some experts believe that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda could lead to weight gain because they trick your body into thinking it’s getting something sweet and cause you to crave more sugar. You said you wanted the bad news first, right?

And now for the good, well at least better news; there are also studies that suggest diet soda is not that bad for you. One such study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking diet soda did not increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome; a win is a win And a review of studies found that replacing sugary drinks with diet soda could help people lose weight. Diet Coke hive rise up!

As with so many things in life, moderation is key. If you enjoy drinking diet soda (which I do), there’s no need to give it up completely (which I won’t). Just be mindful of how much you’re drinking. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and enjoy that Diet Coke as a lil treat. Let’s be honest, we’re probably all doing things a lot worse for us than a can of diet soda. Happy Trails!

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