Are diet sodas unhealthy?
But among the massive ranks of diet sodas, some are slightly less unhealthy than others. To find out which are least likely to scramble my insides, I asked Dana Hunnes, senior dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, to help me rank some popular brands, from least unhealthy to most unhealthy. Is YouTube’s Colon Cleanse Guru Full of Shit?
Is vaping bad for your heart health?
Some people take up vaping – or inhaling vapor from electronic cigarettes – to avoid the health hazards of smoking cigarettes made with tobacco. But when it comes to your heart health, a pair of recent studies show e-cigarettes are just as dangerous – and possibly are even more dangerous – than traditional cigarettes.
Is there a difference between regular soda and diet soda?
Here’s a quick run-through of how both beverages affect the human body to help you make a more educated decision when picking your poison. Some prefer diet soda because it fails to leave the residue on their teeth that regular soda does. This is because diet soda gets its flavoring from artificial sweeteners, not natural sugar.
Is Diet Pepsi bad for You?
Diet Pepsi: “This contains the artificial sweetener sucralose, which is possibly dangerous, and acesulfame K,” Hunnes says. 6. Diet Dr. Pepper: This contains aspartame and high amounts of caffeine. 7.
What is worse diet coke or smoking?
But I never thought drinking a crisp beverage from a shiny, perspiring can was as bad as smoking cigarettes. New research says it is! According to this study, drinking a 20-oz. soda every day ages your cells as much as habitual smoking, an astonishing 4.6 years of aging at the cellular level.
Which is worse soda or smoking?
“Sugary drinks are just as bad as smoking cigarettes,” said Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz. “Both are harmful, resulting in poor health to those who take them. What more does it take to convince people that smoking can lead to cancer and that sugar calories bring on obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease?
How bad are diet sodas for you?
Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals currently used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no credible evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.
Why is zero sugar soda bad for you?
Artificially sweetened beverages like Coke Zero have been linked to other health issues, including: Increased risk of heart disease. An observational study found a link between artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of heart disease among women with no prior history of heart disease ( 20 ).
What happens when you quit drinking soda cold turkey?
Several negative side effects are associated with soda dependency, and they can manifest themselves when you aren't able to access any soda or have chosen to quit — especially if you quit cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, fatigue, headaches, and even feelings of depression ( 21 , 22 ).
Is it okay to drink one soda a day?
Even If You're Lean, 1 Soda Per Day Ups Your Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes : The Salt A daily habit of sugary-sweetened drinks can boost your risk of developing the disease — even if you're not overweight. And diet soda might not be doing you any favors, either.
How many diet sodas a day is safe?
An average adult should consume no more than 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight per day. To exceed the limit, most people would need to drink at least 14 cans of diet drinks a day.
What happens if you drink Diet Coke everyday?
A growing body of evidence suggests that diet soda consumption correlates with an increased risk of a wide range of medical conditions, notably: heart conditions, such as heart attack and high blood pressure. metabolic issues, including diabetes and obesity. brain conditions, such as dementia and stroke.
Is diet soda worse than regular soda?
Artificially sweetened diet soda is widely used as a low or zero-calorie alternative to regular sugar-sweetened beverages. While it may seem like a healthier choice, a growing body of evidence shows that artificially sweetened diet sodas aren't any better than their regular sugar alternatives.
What is the healthiest diet soda to drink?
11 Best Sugar-Free Sodas on Grocery Store ShelvesZevia Zero Calorie Soda, Cola.Virgil's Zero Sugar Root Beer.Reed's Zero Sugar Real Ginger Ale.Bubly Sparkling Water, Cherry.Spindrift Lemon Sparkling Water.Poland Spring Sparkling Water, Lemon Lime.LaCroix.Perrier.More items...•
Which is worse Coke Zero or Diet Coke?
There are very few differences between Diet Coke and Coke Zero. As such, there is no concrete, measurable reason to suggest that one is superior to the other. Nutritionally, there are no significant differences. Their ingredient and caffeine contents are similar as well, so neither is healthier than the other.
Which diet sodas do not have aspartame?
Aspartame is still present in the Coca-Cola products Diet Coke, Fanta Zero, Fresca and Coke Zero....Diet Soda Without Aspartame.Diet Sodas With AspartameDiet Sodas Without AspartamePepsi Zero SugarHansen'sDiet Barq'sSprite ZeroFanta Zero8 more rows
What does Angel Planells do to encourage people to drink water?
Seattle-based dietitian Angel Planells encourages people to choose water over soda of any kind.
Is it safe to drink diet soda?
To Drink or Not to Drink Diet Sodas. The American Beverage Association said in a statement that the FDA and other health organizations consider artificial sweeteners safe, and no research has shown otherwise .
Can you switch from sugary soda to diet soda?
Overall, says Ludwig, clinical trials have shown that if you switch from sugary sodas to diet ones, your weight will benefit.
Does diet soda cause diabetes?
A 2015 BMJ review of studies also found that a single daily serving of diet soda boosted the chance of diabetes by 8%.
Is diet soda better than sugar?
“I tell my patients to continue making the transition to unsweetened beverages,” he says. “We know that diet sodas are better than sugary beverages in terms of body weight, but we don’t know if better is actually good.”.
How much weight did the diet soda group lose?
At the end of the study, the diet soda group had experienced an average weight loss of 13.7 pounds (6.21 kg), compared with 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) in the water group ( 20. ). However, to add to the confusion, there’s evidence of bias in the scientific literature.
How much caffeine is in a can of diet soda?
A can of Diet Coke contains 46 mg of caffeine, while Diet Pepsi contains 35 mg ( 1, 6 ). Summary. Diet soda is a mixture of carbonated water, artificial or natural sweeteners, colors, flavors, and extra components like vitamins or caffeine. Most varieties contain zero or very few calories and no significant nutrition.
How many calories are in a diet coke?
It usually has very few to no calories and no significant nutrition. For example, one 12-ounce (354-mL) can of Diet Coke contains no calories, sugar, fat, or protein and 40 mg of sodium ( 1 ). However, not all sodas that use artificial sweeteners are low in calories or sugar-free. Some use sugar and sweetener together.
What are some artificial sweeteners in diet soda?
Instead of sugar, artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame-k, or sucralose, are used to sweeten them.
What are some sweeteners that are used in soda?
These include common artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, or an herbal sweetener like stevia, which are 200–13,000 times sweeter than regular sugar ( 4, 5. ). Acids. Certain acids, such as citric, malic, and phosphoric acid, are used to add tartness to soda drinks.
When were diet sodas invented?
Diet sodas were first introduced in the 1950s for people with diabetes, though they were later marketed to people trying to control their weight or reduce their sugar intake. Despite being free of sugar and calories, the health effects of diet drinks and artificial sweeteners are controversial.
Does diet soda cause diabetes?
Although diet soda has no calories, sugar, or fat, it has been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in several studies. Research has found that just one serving of an artificially sweetened drink per day is associated with an 8–13% higher risk of type 2 diabetes ( 22. Trusted Source.
Does diet dew have bromine?
Previously, this soda with the lime-green hue used to contain brominated vegetable oil, which has bromine (something that was also said to be found in brominated flame retardants). In citrus-flavored soda drinks, BVO acts as an emulsifier, but it has since been removed from the Diet Dew's list of ingredients.
Is pibb zero a preservative?
A "spicy" cherry soda found mostly in the South, Pibb Zero contains propylene glycol, a preservative, thickening agent, and stabilizer, also used as antifreeze to de-ice airplanes, as a plasticizer to make polyester resins, and found in electronic cigarettes. In other words, it's a nutritional zero. 19.
Does caffeine affect sleep?
Although we're not against caffeine—it's proven to boost metabolism and aid weight loss—excessive caffeine messes with your sleep schedule and suppresses functions of key immune agents. And insufficient sleep opens the door to colds, upper respiratory infections and other ills.
Does diet soda harm the immune system?
Diet sodas also harm the immune system because their acidity causes havoc with our gut bacteria. And the phosphoric acid that's present in many cans has been shown to leach calcium from our bones. While every diet soda is bad for you, some are clearly worse than others.
Does Pepsi have sugar?
Pepsi's answer to Coca-Cola Life—also made with pure sugar and Stevia Leaf extract—says it's "all the fun you love about Pepsi with 30% less sugar than regular Pepsi.". Stay "true" to yourself and instead satisfy your craving with one of best proteins for weight loss! 25.
Is sucralose safe for humans?
Sucralose opponents argue that the amount of human research is inadequate, but even groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest have deemed it safe.
Can you go back to diet coke?
Try the Black Raspberry (and don't overdo it, since caffeine can dehydrate you), and you'll never go back to Diet Coke again. 1.
How many calories are in a can of soda?
When it comes to drinking soda, moderation is the key. A 12-ounce can of soda packs approximately 140 calories and around 10 teaspoons of sugar. While this may not seem necessarily good at first, compared to the sugar content of other drinks on the market, this is nothing. For example, Snapple may advertise being made from “the best stuff on Earth,” but the average bottle contains around 200 calories. A bottle of Starbuck’s Mocha Frappucino also has 200 calories per serving, and the very least amount of calories you can look for in a 16-ounce serving of Jamba Juice is 210 calories.
How many calories are in a Snapple bottle?
For example, Snapple may advertise being made from “the best stuff on Earth,” but the average bottle contains around 200 calories. A bottle of Starbuck’s Mocha Frappucino also has 200 calories per serving, and the very least amount of calories you can look for in a 16-ounce serving of Jamba Juice is 210 calories.
Does diet soda cause cavities?
Bacteria in the mouth, also known as plaque, need sugar to grow, so diet soda isn’t going to be directly contributing to any new cavities in ...
Does diet soda cause heart problems?
One study from the University of Miami revealed an even scarier effect of diet soda when they correlated the beverage’s consumption to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In the study, 2,465 participants were asked to document what beverages they drink and how often they drink them. The participants were followed for nine years, and results found those who drank diet soda were 48 percent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke when compared to those who rarely drank any soda. Although the researchers emphasized that their findings do not prove diet soda had caused the participants' heart problems, it does add to a plethora of studies documenting both regular and diet soda’s effect on our most important organ.
Does diet soda have sugar?
Diet soda may not contain sugar, but it does have acid, and over time this acid can strip the enamel from your teeth and leave them more vulnerable to cavities from other sugary foods and drinks you may consume.
Is diet soda bad for you?
Most people are aware that both regular and diet soda are bad for your health, but when it comes to which is worse, things get a bit tricky. The truth is they are both pretty unhealthy in their own separate ways. Here’s a quick run-through of how both beverages affect the human body to help you make a more educated decision when picking your poison.
Does diet soda cause weight gain?
Although the calorie-free aspect of diet soda may sound enticing to those trying to maintain a healthy weight, don’t be fooled. It has been suggested that diet soda actually contributes to weight gain, not weight loss. “Artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas have been found to increase sugar cravings because it’s not a natural source of sugar and the brain continues to seek the real deal,” Marissa Puleo, a registered licensed dietitian explained to Medical Daily. “This can lead to increased eating and drinking because your body isn’t satisfied.” One study even suggested that along with increasing desire for fattening foods, the artificial flavoring in diet soda actually interfered with the natural bacteria in our guts, making us less tolerant of glucose.
How much did e-cigarettes go up in 2015?
But, CDC stats on teen smoking show that while use of e-cigs went up to 24% in 2015, cigarette smoking dropped to an historic low -- to just under 11%.
What is an e-cigarette?
The Basics. E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that can look like a real cigarette or pen. Some with refillable tanks look a bit different. There are hundreds of brands, and they're sometimes marketed as a way to get your nicotine fix without the danger of cigarettes. They all work the same basic way:
How many people die from smoking cigarettes a year?
Cigarette smoking kills almost half a million people a year in the United States. Most of the harm comes from the thousands of chemicals that are burned and inhaled in the smoke, he explains. E-cigs don't burn, so people aren't as exposed to those toxins.
How old do you have to be to buy a vape?
In the summer of 2016, new rules about their sale went into effect. So you have to be 18 to buy them and show an ID if you're under 27.
Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes aren't thought of as 100% safe, but most experts think they're less dangerous than cigarettes, says Neal Benowitz, MD, a nicotine researcher at the University of California at San Francisco. Cigarette smoking kills almost half a million people a year in the United States.
Can pregnant women use nicotine?
Pregnant women shouldn't use anything with nicotine. But the concerns go beyond nicotine alone. Some brands contain chemicals including formaldehyde -- often used in building materials -- and another ingredient used in antifreeze that can cause cancer. Flavors in e-cigs also raise red flags.
Do teens smoke e-cigs?
A 2016 study in the journal Pediatrics found that teens that never smoked but used e-cigs were six times more likely to try cigarettes compared to kids who don't vape. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2015 found a connection too.
When did diet coke come out?
While the aforementioned Diet Pepsi was born in the 1960s, Diet Coke wasn't unveiled until 1982. It didn't take long for it to become the best-selling diet soda in America, which remains the case to this day.
When was the first diet cola sold?
In defense of Diet Pepsi, it deserves credit for being a pioneer in the industry. The history of this drink dates back to 1963 . In fact, it was the first diet cola to be sold throughout the United States. Back then, Diet Pepsi was a novel drink that was unlike anything else available on the market.
What is the best cherry flavor diet soda?
If you want the best cherry-flavored diet soda, Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry is what you should get your hands on. You'll find nothing on the market that is superior. Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry is gentle on your taste buds, which makes it a diet soda that you can drink by the gallon without ever getting tired of it.
Is 7up a sprite?
Twitter. Sprite and 7UP have been competing against each other ever since Sprite was introduced in the United States back in 1959. While opinions regarding the taste of Sprite versus the taste of 7UP vary from person to person, there's conclusively more to like about Sprite Zero Sugar than Diet 7UP.
Is Fresca a diet soda?
The best attribute of Fresca Original Citrus Soda is the fact that it's refreshing. On a hot afternoon, there's not a more refreshing diet soda. Within moments, your thirst will be quenched. Fresca has four other diet soda flavors: Blackberry Citrus, Black Cherry Citrus, Strawberry Citrus, and Peach Citrus.
Does 7up have a lot of flavor?
While Diet 7UP doesn't have a whole lot of flavor, it has a satisfying sourness to it. On the can, it tells you that you're getting a lemon-lime flavored soda — and 7UP isn't fibbing when they tell you that. If you want your diet drink to be highly carbonated and sufficiently sour, this is a soda you should buy.
Does diet Pepsi taste like carbonated air?
Diet Pepsi is so lacking in taste that it's actually impressive in a perverse sort of way. While it smells a little bit like Pepsi, this stuff basically tastes like carbonated air. That doesn't sound possible — but try Diet Pepsi and see for yourself. The minuscule amount of flavor that's present is mostly from the carbonation process. There's zero cola taste at play.
How many participants were recruited in the first study of e-cigarettes?
In the first study, researchers looked at the impact of e-cigarettes on lipids and glucose in the blood. They recruited 476 healthy human participants without cardiovascular disease who were either nonsmokers, e-cigarette-only smokers, smokers of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes and those who smoked tobacco cigarettes only.
Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes?
But when it comes to your heart health, a pair of recent studies show e-cigarettes are just as dangerous – and possibly are even more dangerous – than traditional cigarettes.
Is LDL cholesterol higher in e-cigarettes?
Results showed that total cholesterol and LDL or “bad” cholesterol was higher in sole e-cigarette users compared to nonsmokers. The researchers said that the findings suggest that if tobacco cigarette smokers who use e-cigarettes for a healthier alternative to tobacco won’t benefit by the switch.
Is vaping dangerous?
Vaping May Be More Dangerous Than Cigarette Smoking, Studies Show. Some people take up vaping – or inhaling vapor from electronic cigarettes – to avoid the health hazards of smoking cigarettes made with tobacco.
Does vaping cause heart disease?
The first study found that vaping can worsen several heart disease risk factors at levels equal to tobacco cigarettes, while the second found that e-cigarettes decrease blood flow in the heart even more than tobacco cigarettes.
Does blood flow decrease after smoking?
In smokers who smoke tobacco cigarettes, blood flow increased modestly after cigarette inhalation and then decreased with subsequent stress. However, with those who vaped, blood flow decreased after inhalation at rest and also after handgrip stress.
Why is beer better than soda?
Beer has an advantage over soda because it generally has fewer calories and carbs, has no sugar or fat at all, and can be less easy to drink in excess. Beer has a lower glycemic load than soda, which is a measurement of how much a food or beverage will raise the blood sugar after being consumed.
What are the most common metrics used to gauge how potentially unhealthy food or beverages can be?
Calories, sugar, fat, and carbs are some of the most common metrics used to gauge how potentially unhealthy food or beverages can be. While beers and sodas come in a variety of styles, most sodas are higher in calories, carbs, fat and sugar than most beers.
Is alcohol bad for you?
Alcohol, in moderation, is said to have some health benefits. The same can be said for the caffeine in soda. Both beverages can be dehydrating and can be associated with obesity. Both beer and soda can be harmful in excess, but which is the most damaging to your health?
Does soda cause high blood pressure?
The sugar in soda can be one of its most damaging qualities. Soda simply has an insane amount of sugar, which contributes to high blood pressure, diabetes, and severe tooth decay.
Is soda bad for you?
Contributing severely to heart disease, obesity, asthma, and diabetes, and contributing nothing to benefit your health, soda is one of the worst things that you can consume on a regular basis.
Is it better to drink beer or soda?
Moderation is the key with both soda and beer. Overuse of either can be majorly damaging to your well-being. It’s important not to overuse either. Overall, soda has far few health benefits and far greater health risks than beer. Beer’s lower glycemic load and presence of circulation-boosting antioxidants and B vitamins make ...