Why Diet Soda May Not Be A Better Choice

Many people prefer diet soda so that they can indulge in a sweet and fizzy drink without consuming hundreds of calories or sugar-load themselves.

However, several studies have shown a correlation between drinking too much dietary soda and developing severe health problems, including diabetes, fatty liver, dementia, heart disease, and stroke.

Data shows that diet soda intake is associated with an elevated risk of a wide variety of medical conditions, including metabolic problems, cardiac problems, liver conditions, and brain problems.

Many studies of people who drink soda have been extensive and ran through for many years. However, few studies have thoroughly controlled other risk factors that could contribute to chronic health conditions, such as being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle.

They may not, however, account for the fact that individuals who drink soda may have more health conditions because of their choice of beverages. For instance, since they have a high body mass index (BMI) and are trying to lose weight, a person chooses to drink diet soda. Or, people who drink soda on a daily basis may be more likely to consume certain food types, which may pose health risks.

Researchers do not know exactly why the risk of disease may increase with diet sodas. Some think that diet sodas can weaken or induce chronic inflammation of blood vessels.

Diet sodas, by modifying other habits, can also undermine fitness. By influencing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in satisfaction, motivation, and reward, a 2012 study demonstrates that diet soda can influence how the brain reacts to sweet tastes.

Drinking diet soda frequently can make a person crave more sweets, including both sweet snacks and more soda.

For some people, soda gives a quick caffeine jolt. Switching to coffee or tea may be a suitable choice since both of these beverages have some health benefits. The best choice is unsweetened coffee or tea. Without extra sugar, milk may offer some sweetness.

People who prefer bubbly carbonated drinks will find the same fizzy flavor of seltzer water or carbonated water. The unflavored, unsweetened seltzer waters contain no artificial sweeteners, normally free of calories.

If the sweetness of soda is in its appeal, a person can instead try natural food. Sweet whole fruits like peaches, mangoes, apples, and berries provide a fast dose of naturally occurring sugar without much of the risk of soda to health.

A moderate intake of soda is less dangerous than doing it every day. People unable or unwilling to stop drinking diet soda can still reduce their risk of health problems by drinking less.