With obesity becoming an epidemic in the United States, more and more people are turning to diet sodas more than ever before. Ever notice that the word “die” is in diet? Well, it just so happens that the diet soda you’re drinking to be healthier is actually
causing you to die of a slow death. Here are five reasons that you’re better off just
drinking regular soda in moderation if you have a craving, than that diet soda you have in
your hand if you want to be healthier.
Obesity
Contrary to what you might think, that diet soda is helping you gain weight.
According to a 2008 study conducted by the University of Minnesota, aspartame has
been shown to confuse the body, causing you to process sugars poorly, making you more
likely to overeat, and thus causing weight gain. The study also suggests that just one diet
soda a day puts you at a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, symptoms including increase
in belly fat and high cholesterol levels.
It’s literally Poison
When aspartame and caffeine combine in the body, they literally turn into poison
while giving you a temporary high. Diet sodas also contain something regular sodas do
not; mold inhibitors such as sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate. These chemicals
have also been shown to cause things such as asthma, hives, and other allergic
conditions. Diet soda cans are even coated with BPA’s, which are linked to things like
heart disease and reproductive issues. Additionally, the sweetener in your soda contains
methanol, which breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde.
Kidney Problems
In an 11 year Harvard study of more than 3,000 women, they found that just two
diet sodas a day were responsible for decreased kidney function. Carbonated beverages
alone put you at greater risk for kidney disease at just two sodas a day. So combined
with artificial sweeteners and carbonation, your kidneys are at a greater risk for things
like kidney stones and possible kidney failure.
Rotting Teeth
Those two diet sodas you drink a day are at risk of making your teeth rot away,
with a very acidic pH of 3.2. Just because your drink is sugar free, doesn’t mean you’re
free from your teeth falling out. Adults who drink 2 or more soda’s a day, even diet
sodas have worse dental health according to data from the University of Michigan.
Worse Hangovers
According to a study conducted by Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia, mixing
liquor with diet soda causes you to get drunker faster. Diet sodas cause alcohol to hit
your blood stream faster than regular sodas, making you drunker than if you just had a
plain Rum and Coke.
Cancer
Studies conducted on lab rats have shown that saccharine was linked to bladder
cancer in rats. Aspartame, another artificial sweetener found in your favorite diet soda
has been linked to brain tumors. As it breaks down in your digestive tract, a by product
called DKP appears. When your stomach processes this DKP it produces a compound
similar to something called N-nitrosourea, which is a chemical that has been shown to
cause brain tumors.
Just because something says diet on it, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for
you. If you want to be healthier, try drinking water with lemon instead of a diet soda. If
you’re really craving a sugary carbonated beverage, just drink a regular one, but try to do
so in moderation, having it only on special occasions like they used to back in the old
days. Even though the FDA has come out saying that artificial sweeteners are not linked
to various health ailments, do you really want to take the chance when so many people
have come forward with health issues from over drinking of these diet sodas? It’s just
not worth the risk.
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