Nutritional Benefits Of Diet Soda

Sodas are high in calories and even a can or two would significantly increase your calorie intake. Diet sodas on the other hand, allow you to enjoy soda without having to worry about the additional calories. Furthermore, several soda manufacturers are working on fortified diet sodas in a bid to increase the nutritional value of sodas. It is thought that the added minerals and nutrients would increase diet soda benefits and could even help to treat nutritional deficiencies.

The current health and welfare boom has triggered several research programs into current dietary products and their effects. Fast foods such as burgers, fried chicken, pizzas, and hot dogs are under scrutiny to determine both their positive as well as negative effects on the human body.

Diet soda benefits and risks have also been the subject of many tests. Many of these studies show that there are several risks associated with the regular consumption of diet sodas, but there are also a few studies that suggest that diet soda could be beneficial in certain cases. Discuss the possible health risks of diet sodas with your doctor before you decide to include it in your regular diet. The lower calorie content of diet sodas is among the most important health benefits of drinking diet soft drinks.

One can of soda containing 12 fluid ounces contains 140 calories while 1 can of diet soda contains just 4 calories. Individuals who consume more than one can of soda on a regular basis will find that they often exceed their daily calorie requirements. This excessive calorie intake often leads to weight gain and obesity over a prolonged period. Sodas should not be a part of one’s regular diet but instead it can be included as an occasional treat. For those who are trying to restrict their consumption, a switch from regular sodas to diet sodas can help to drastically reduce daily calorie intake. There may be other benefits of sugar free soft drinks, but it is also important to note that there are several health risks that are also associated with these drinks.

Nutrition, Nutrients In Sugar Free Drinks (Diet Soda)

In recent years, diet sodas and their ingredients have become a common research subject. A typical can of diet soda contains about 40 mg of sodium and 45 mg of caffeine along with coloring, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. These diet soda nutritional facts can be a cause of concern as some of the ingredients are very controversial due to their possible side effects. It is important to take note of the fact that diet soda does not contain fat, protein, or carbohydrates. The nutritional value in light soft drinks may be a little uncertain but it is definite that the calories in diet soda are much fewer than those in regular sodas.

Side Effects Of Light Soft Drinks (Diet Soda)

The effects of diet soda are often the subject of debate as these soft drinks are high in caffeine and artificial sweeteners. The extremely low calorie value of diet soda may help to control the calorie intake of individuals who consume several cans of soda per day but their negative impact on the body cannot be dismissed.

The artificial sweeteners in light soft drinks may trigger sugar cravings which could cause an individual to overindulge in sugary foods which would negate the benefits of the low calorie content of the soda.

Some of the other possible diet soda side effects on the body are even more disturbing – kidney damage, bone loss, and tooth enamel damage. These dangers of sugar free soft drinks have caused many people to switch back to regular sodas but this is also an unhealthy option.

Dangerous Risks Of Carbonated Beverages On Health

It is best to consider fresh juices and milkshakes or smoothies as these drinks would not contain added sweeteners and chemical flavoring. While many people believe that diet soda is dangerous, it is important to note that many of the alleged light soft drinks health risks are based on hearsay and have not been recognized by the FDA.

The FDA has also specifically stated that they have reviewed the findings of several research studies on Aspartame – which is the artificial sweetener used in diet sodas and that there has been no conclusive evidence to prove that this sweetener causes any of the alleged side effects.

While there are many who feel that there are possible risks of carbonated beverages for diabetes patients due to diet soda risks on insulin, this has not repeatedly refuted by the manufacturers. The diet soda effects on blood sugar is also uncertain and so doctors often recommend that individuals with blood sugar problems refrain from consuming these soft drinks.

With regard to diet sodas and kidney problems, researchers found that a compound called citrate that is present in some diet sodas inhibits the formation of kidney stones. Further research is required to establish whether these sods can be used to complement kidney stone treatment. It is also important to note that there are other contradictory studies that suggest that diet sodas may disrupt kidney function.

The link between carbonated beverages and their hazards on the kidneys is not yet completely understood. There are also studies on diet soft drinks adverse effects on teeth and several findings link the acidic nature of the drink to enamel damage.

Is Diet Soda Fattening?

The main purpose of diet sodas is to curb excessive calorie intake and allow a person to stay within their daily calorie requirements. In this manner, light soft drinks cause fat loss and are recommended substitutes for regular sodas. There are many claims that diet sodas are fattening but although these claims seem to have some merit, they have not been proved. It is possible that there could be certain unknown negative effects of sugar free drinks on weight loss, as artificial sweeteners may induce an insulin response. Animal studies proved that the animals that were given artificial sweeteners increased their calorie intake, their stores of fat, and subsequently they experienced weight gain. A recent population based study indicated that there is a link between the increased intake of diet soda and weight gain and/or obesity. Keep a diet diary if possible and note down your daily calorie intake without sodas as well as with diet sodas. This is a great method to determine if your intake of diet soda has an effect on your eating habits.

Light Soft Drinks And Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a joyous but difficult period ion a woman’s life as her body undergoes various changes. Hormonal changes cause mood swings, anxiety, and food cravings. Sweet cravings are very common and very often women experience weight gain due to their excessive calorie intake. In order to prevent this, the doctor may suggest that the woman substitute regular soda for diet soda during pregnancy. However, it is important to discuss the dangers of carbonated beverages for pregnant women with a doctor or an obstetrician. Some of the most common side effects of diet soda on pregnant women include headaches, fatigue, lethargy, and nausea. Many of these side effects are also common to pregnancy and so it is possible that these symptoms are not actually caused by the consumption of diet soda. It is better to limit your intake of diet sodas and instead consume fresh fruit juices and homemade smoothies as these are healthier and more nutritious options.

Submitted on January 16, 2014