Diet and Nutrition

Is Diet Soda Bad for my Health?

Is Diet Soda Bad for my Health?

Diet sodas are beverages with artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, saccharin, or sucralose. Logically speaking, calorie-free drinks like these should ideally aid in weight loss and reduce the risk of diseases, like diabetes, but there is no clear consensus or solid evidence to support these facts. Instead, there is evidence to show the association of these sodas with a number of health issues.

  • Studies show that drinking diet soda is associated with an increased risk of kidney damage. The actual reason for the reduction of the blood filtering function by the kidneys is not clear. Some suggest that the chemicals used in diet soda affect the tissues and the functioning of the organ.
  • Although it is a calorie-free drink, diet soda is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. This association is stronger in the case of women, when compared to men.
  • Worst of all, some studies showed that the consumption of diet soda is associated with an increased risk of obesity. This seems contradictory to the claim of zero calories. Some people feel that choosing diet soda engraves the zero calorie feeling in the mind and makes them eat more than normal. Some others suggest that diet soda increases appetite and eventually body weight.
  • Soda, diet or not, contains two ingredients that destroy tooth enamel. Although diet soda does not contain sugar, the acid component erodes the enamel of teeth.
  • Diet sodas contain phosphoric acid, which leads to expedited excretion of calcium from the blood affecting the health of bones.
  • Studies have also shown an association between consumption of diet soda and depression. This association is strong in the case of diet soda, when compared to regular soda.
  • Diet soda is also associated with increased risk of pre-term delivery.

Try to avoid these zero-calorie drinks as much as possible. Opt for fresh fruit juices instead. One cannot be sure whether the facts are true, misrepresented, or biased.