Metabolic Syndrome and Diet Soda
I knew regular soda was bad for me. (Of course, no surprise there, right?) But I didn’t know diet soda was bad for me. Sure, I knew it wasn’t good for me. Not like it has any vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein or anything else remotely nutritious in it at all - but at least it didn’t have sugar or calories, right?
Well, it turns out that scientists doing an expansive survey of people’s dietary habits and health have found that drinking one (just one!) can of diet soda a day leads to a 34 percent higher risk for metabolic syndrome… 34 PERCENT, PEOPLE!!! Even red meat and fried foods only increase your risks by a measly 18 percent in comparison. And metabolic syndrome is no small thing; it can lead to obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all of which contribute to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The jury’s still out on the causes, whether it’s some particular chemical in diet soda or something else in every diet soda drinker’s diet. Meanwhile, other studies have shown - and unfortunately, I can vouch for this personally - artificial sweeteners increase a person’s cravings for sweets and thus their tendency to overeat. Been there a few times.
I’m not sure I can go cold turkey. Even though I know water and unsweetened green tea are way better for me, I know I’ll miss the fizz. I’ve decided to stock limes and seltzer water in the house to have on hand whenever I get that craving. It’s hard to get as excited about green tea as a caffeine replacement, but at least it has antioxidants. Woot! Woot!
***Picture Thanks to Robyn Gallagher***
on June 10th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I read this yesterday, thinking I wasn’t going to make any changes. But then… last night when I went to pour myself a diet 7UP, I paused. I couldn’t do it!
on June 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
NO! Not my diet coke! It is my last bastion of fun things I actually ENJOY drinking. Sad. I suppose iced tea isn’t THAT bad.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
can I just say that as a nutrition and health master student this is just total crap and not true, I repeat NOT true. So Linda you can still drink your can of soda. And if that’s the only thing you really enjoy drinking maybe you shouldn’t be so strict, cuz live is also meant to be fun and enjoyable
on June 30th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Sorry Lauwer… but you’re misinformed on this one (which is sad since you’re apparently one of the people who is supposed to be helping people make wise health choices). In the study Jane sites, “The scientists gathered dietary information on more than 9,500 men and women ages 45 to 64 and tracked their health for nine years. But the one-third who ate the most fried food increased their risk by 25 percent compared with the one-third who ate the least, and surprisingly, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome was 34 percent higher among those who drank one can of diet soda a day compared with those who drank none.”
ONE CAN, Lauwer. So… sorry Linda. I made the switch to iced tea and am not any worse for the wear.
on June 30th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
strangely enough, my life has become ten times more fun and enjoyable once I cut out soda (diet and regular).
on July 25th, 2008 at 1:32 am
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