This past month we’ve especially been promoting weight loss and fitness. Knowing what is healthy to eat, and what isn’t, is also very important within the weight loss process. One major area of contention is the consumption of diet sodas. People believe because it has the word “diet” in the product title that it is good for you- or at least better than regular soda. Well, scientific evidence suggests otherwise.
Kidney problems are directly related to diet soda consumption. A Harvard Medical School study of more than 3,000 women found diet cola to be associated with a two-fold increased risk for kidney decline. “Kidney function started declining when women drank more than two sodas a day” was noted within the study’s results.
A study here in Minnesota even found that drinking diet soda can alter your metabolism, and not for the better. According to a University of Minnesota study of almost 10,000 adults, even just one diet soda a day is linked to a 34% higher risk of metabolic syndrome, the group of symptoms including belly fat and high cholesterol that puts you at risk for heart disease.
Poor teeth and a bad smile are another side effect of drinking diet soda. With a pH of 3.2, diet soda is very acidic. (As a point of reference, the pH of battery acid is 1.) The acid is what dissolves enamel. Adults who drink three or more sodas a day have worse dental health, says a University of Michigan analysis of dental checkup data.
Diet soda isn’t better for you than drinking a regular soda- in fact, it is worse! Soda in general is never going to be a great thing for you to ingest. The sugar and calorie count alone is terrible. If you have to reach for a soda (in moderation) try the regular version versus the diet version. And, if you can, opt for a water or an iced green tea instead.
Need help with weight loss? Take advantage of our September discount and receive 1 free MONTH of our weight loss program including personal training, personalized meal planning, nutrition counseling and more.
Call or email us at 952.224.1919 or Maggie@odomsportsmd.com to take advantage of 1 free month of our medically supervised weight loss program before the end of September.