Most of us are well aware of the dangers of sugary sodas. We know that they can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other serious health problems. But what about diet soda? Surely it must be better for us than the regular kind, right?
Wrong.
Dr. John Heary noted a new study published in the journal Obesity found that diet soda is just as likely to cause weight gain as regular soda. The study followed 749 adults over the course of 10 years, and found that those who drank diet soda gained just as much weight as those who drank regular soda.
So, what’s the deal? Why is diet soda just as bad for us as regular soda?
There are a few possible explanations. One is that diet soda drinkers often make up for the calories they’ve saved by eating more later in the day. Another possibility is that artificial sweeteners may actually increase our cravings for sweet foods.
Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that diet soda is not a healthy choice. If you want to improve your health, ditch the diet soda and choose water or unsweetened tea instead.
Diet soda has long been advertised as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. However, recent studies have shown that diet soda can actually be extremely harmful to your health. In this article, we will be discussing the dangers of diet soda and why you should avoid it.
How Diet Soda Causes Weight Gain
Diet soda is often advertised as a weight-loss tool, but studies have shown that it can actually cause weight gain. One of the main reasons for this, notes Dr. John Heary, is because diet soda contains artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners trick your body into thinking that it is going to receive sugar, but when it doesn’t, you end up craving sweets even more. Additionally, artificial sweeteners have been shown to increase your appetite and make you eat more calories overall.
The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are not only bad for your waistline, but they can also be extremely harmful to your health. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can cause a variety of health problems, including migraines, gastrointestinal problems, and even cancer. Additionally, artificial sweeteners have been shown to increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking to improve your health, it is best to avoid diet soda and other drinks that contain artificial sweeteners. Instead, opt for water or unsweetened tea. You can also talk to a functional medicine doctor like Dr. John Heary to learn more about how you can improve your health.
Dr. John Heary is a leading expert in functional medicine, and he has some interesting things to say about diet soda and artificial sweeteners. “There are a lot of dangers of aspartame,” Dr. Heary says. “It’s an excitotoxin, which means it over-stimulates the brain cells. It can cause headaches, anxiety, and even seizures.”
Diet soda seems like a calorie-free, guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite sodas. But recent studies have shown that diet soda, especially when consumed by pregnant women, can have some serious negative effects on your health.
How Diet Soda Affects Pregnant Women
A recent study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that drinking diet soda during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of preterm delivery. The study’s authors believe that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may interfere with the body’s metabolism of glucose, which can lead to pregnancy complications.
Another study, this one published in the journal PLoS One, found that drinking diet soda during pregnancy was also associated with a higher risk of obesity in the child. The study’s authors believe that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may alter the gut microbiome, which can lead to obesity.
These studies suggest that diet soda is not a safe choice for pregnant women. If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, Dr. John Heary notes it is important to limit your intake of diet soda.
How Diet Soda Affects Your Health
Diet soda is often touted as a healthy alternative to regular soda, but recent research has shown that it may not be as healthy as you think. A study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking diet soda was associated with a higher risk of stroke. The study’s authors believe that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may increase the risk of stroke by promoting inflammation. Another study, this one published in the journal PLoS One, found that drinking diet soda was associated with a higher risk of dementia. The study’s authors believe that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may damage the brain’s ability to process glucose, which can lead to dementia.
Aspartame can also have damaging effects on the liver and the brain. Also known as NutraSweet and Equal, Aspartame is manufactured from aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Methanol is released from the aspartame within hours of consumption and begins traveling through the body via the blood. Methanol converts into Formaldehyde which is a serious neurotoxin and carcinogen. Aspartic acid also can affect your brain cells since it is capable of crossing your blood-brain barrier. These amino acids mediate the death of central neurons after intense exposure.
Your blood-brain barrier, which normally protects your brain from toxins, is not able to adequately protect you against the effects of aspartame consumption because it:
- Is not fully developed during childhood
- Does not fully protect all areas of the brain
- Is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions
- Allows seepage of excess aspartate into the brain even when intact
These studies suggest that diet soda is not a healthy choice for people of any age. If you are concerned about your health, it is important to limit your intake of diet soda.
How Diet Soda Affects Your Weight
Diet soda is often touted as a way to lose weight, but recent research has shown that it may actually cause weight gain. A study published in the journal PLoS One found that drinking diet soda was associated with a higher risk of obesity.
According to a study published by the American Geriatrics Society, compared to those who never drank diet soda, daily diet soda drinkers nearly quadrupled their waist size over nine years. These individuals gained an average of nearly 3.2 inches around their waist. Another study presented at the American Diabetes Association, found that diet soda drinkers waists grew 70 percent more than the waists of non-diet soda drinkers drinking as little as two sodas per day.
The research and publications are endless when linking diet soda to disease. It is an addictive substance that is often hard for someone to give up. However, by becoming aware of the potential side effects of “diet” foods and drinks, one can conclude that it should not be a part of anyone’s diet. Soda can affect the absorption of many minerals and vitamins which are crucial for development of many systems of the body.
Diet soda is just one of the many culprits in today’s society that is causing disease. By knowing deficiencies and toxicities that make up one’s metabolic analysis, Dr. John Heary notes one can evaluate their lifestyle and make better choices to optimize their health. It’s not easy knowing where to start. That is where your experienced nutritionist can help you by analyzing your comprehensive blood analysis and hair tissue mineral test.
