How bad is diet coke for me?

4lelito

I am confused about diet coke is it as bad as drinking regular soda? People tell me mixed things I have 1 can for dinner and 1 can for lunch ..but I also drink plenty of water..should I eliminate it out of my diet?

nicehormones

Mmm. Everyone has their own opinion. Apparently, studies are linking aspartame to multiple health issues. I haven't read too much about it, though. I think pop is bad either way, but I do have a Diet Coke every now and again. Usually I don't drink anything but water and don't miss pop all that much.

whiplashy

The question I've been afraid to ask! I used to only drink regular coke. Now I have one glass of diet coke a day and the rest is water. There's no way I'm giving it up.

Belladonna261

Any artificial sweetners are not good for you and many people slam them. However, for now I am sticking with my diet coke as it is really helping my hunger and sweet cravings, I'll deal with the artificial sweetners when I've formed better habits with my eating!

Katie1951

I don't drink diet drinks because of the sodium. Use Stevia to sweeten my ice and hot tea.

Tdk4685

I used to drink diet coke all the time but I started hearing more and more negative things about it so I cut way down. I may have one once or twice a month now. I drink mainly tea instead. I have noticed that I do not crave sweets as much since I cut the diet coke down and I had heard that was related.

manderson27

Only drink coke in my rum :drinker:

jazzalea

I've eliminated 154 pounds from my frame and I've drank diet coke pretty much each and every day doing it.......I figure the weight loss benefits pretty much even out the potential ( often talked about never proven) side effects of diet coke......

melvac

I don't know one over the other I don't drink sodas at all because of the excess sodium and I retain water big time. There are lots of opinions on carbonated drinks period. In Moderation I would say to anyone consuming them.

CaitlinR85

I agree with you Belladonna. One thing at a time!

I've heard so many awful things about artificial sweeteners, including actually MAKING you crave real sugar, along with links to more serious health issues.

However, one thing I know for sure is that being obese is extremely unhealthy. So, once I get my eating/exercise regime under control, maybe I'll look at alternatives to the diet coke/pepsi!

cavemancop

its horrible, Im trying to give it up myself but since I used to drink it all the time I got adddicted to it. I try to drink coffee and tea instead now, and avoid everything artifical

LabRat529

This is the second thread on the same topic that I've replied to in less than an hour... so... yah... I'm repeating some info here.

Most of what you hear about diet coke is a myth. I have no idea why people turned it into a boogieman. I just googled "aspartame + metabolism" and OH WOW... it's no wonder people are terrified of the stuff... but 99% of what I saw on google was baloney.

Here's the simple truth-

Diet coke is acidic... if you drink it all the time and never brush your teeth, it could erode the enamel of your teeth.

Diet coke has caffeine in it, and caffeine can increase the acid production in your stomach. If you're prone to heart burn, it could make your heart burn worse/more frequent.

The aspartame in diet coke is metabolized into methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. Methanol is further metabolized into formaldehyde. People use this info to make aspartame seem extra scary, but concentration matters. Methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine are all found in natural foods. Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are even part of us! They are molecules that are used to help make proteins and enzymes that keep us alive! So unless you're eating a ton of aspartame and over-loading your system, the compounds aren't going to hurt.

A few people are especially sensitive to aspartame for some reason. They will experience headaches, etc.. but most people don't.

And... that's about it. I'd never call diet coke a health drink, but I drink it. And if you like to drink it, then I think you should go ahead and drink it and not feel bad.

ishallnotwant

I really like Diet Coke...I usually have a cup of it once a week as a treat. I haven't experienced any problems from drinking it.

MrsR0SE

I love diet coke, but try to only have it occasionally now - the biggest risk from sodas and diet sodas alike is to your teeth. Acid/sugar erosion Is not good, therefore it's better to drink a glass or can all in one go or use a straw rather than sip it over a long period of time.

ScatteredThoughts

I don't drink diet drinks because of the sodium. Use Stevia to sweeten my ice and hot tea.

I don't drink diet soda very often, but 40mg per can (diet coke) is not all that much sodium.

dg09

I practically breath diet sunkist/canada dry/a&w as if it were oxygen.

duharvalgt

Research acesuflame potassium (or K) if you wish

elsinora

Only drink coke in my rum :drinker:

Love this post!

zebedee44

Not sure if this helps.......................................(and it might not be true!!!! but thought it was interesting)

Water or Coke?

COKE

#1. In many states the highway patrol carries
two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from
the highway after a car accident.

#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke
and it will be gone in two days.

#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the
toilet bowland let the 'real thing' sit for one hour,
then flush clean The citric acid in Coke removes
stains from vitreous china.

#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:
Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds
Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour
a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble
away the corrosion.

#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola
to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into
the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake.
Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix
with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

#8... To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke
into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run
through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen
grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your
windshield.

WATER

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
(Likely applies to half the world population)

#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak
that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs
for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of
Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of
water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain
for up to 80% of sufferers.

#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term
memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on
the computer screen or on a printed page.

#8.. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of
colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast
cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop
bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water
you should drink every day?

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

#1 the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.
It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric
acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major
contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the
commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place
cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean
engines of the trucks for about 20 years!


Now the question is, would you like a glass of water or Coke?!

:drinker:

ChristopherFiss

Coke Zero for me. The sodium isn't too bad, and it has a bit of caffeine for when I'm running down.

There are countless biased studies for and against Aspartame and Potassium sweetening, but so long as your diet soda isn't replacing your water as your go-to drink you aren't really suffering. It won't add much to your diet, nor will it be any good for you...but if it helps you avoid a regular soda, it has done its job well.

ScatteredThoughts

Not sure if this helps.......................................(and it might not be true!!!! but thought it was interesting)

Water or Coke?

<snip>

Lots of misinformation there.

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp

HauteP1nk

I have heard that there is a link of aspartame to fat storing....and of course other medical issues.
I think anything in excess is no good. Diet coke should be treated as a treat. I would just drink water. Diet or not diet it is all junk.

ludogx87

i always have at least one can of diet juice a day, sometimes 3 or 4,
calorie wise its not too bad but im sure there will be someoene who has or will post all the bad things about it..... BUT it wont stop me drinking it. lol
think a can of diet coke is 3 cals per can..... suits me

zebedee44

Not sure if this helps.......................................(and it might not be true!!!! but thought it was interesting)

Water or Coke?

<snip>

Lots of misinformation there.

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp

Good shout! I stand corrected :happy:

fmw123

I expect it's OK when it forms part of a balanced diet!

LastSixtySix

Diet Coke is fine for a couple reasons - #1 you enjoy ingesting chemicals instead of real food and #2 you don't mind corroding your tooth enamel.

Just look at the ingredients of the Diet Coke. Do you really want to put that stuff inside your temple?


"The erosive potential of colas is 10 times that of fruit juices in just the first three minutes of drinking, a study last year showed."
http://www.livescience.com/7198-acids-popular-sodas-erode-tooth-enamel.html

bert16

I might just rephrase your question slightly: how good is Diet Coke for you? That's why I stopped drinking it. It's not so much that it's evil, but it certainly isn't doing anything particularly good for you.

kittybitz79

Didn't Mythbuster have an episode to debunk coke myths ... there was a lot about the myths and facts were different.

laineylynnfit

I am confused about diet coke is it as bad as drinking regular soda? People tell me mixed things I have 1 can for dinner and 1 can for lunch ..but I also drink plenty of water..should I eliminate it out of my diet?

Personally, I would eliminate it from my diet and stick to water but that's just me! I am sure that it is just as bad as regular soda in some other way besides calories. If you can't do it cold turkey, try to drop down to one a day then maybe half a can then to none. Good luck

laineylynnfit

I might just rephrase your question slightly: how good is Diet Coke for you? That's why I stopped drinking it. It's not so much that it's evil, but it certainly isn't doing anything particularly good for you.

I like this train of thought! Helps you choose to right things to put into your body rather then justify if things that are "less bad" OK to put into your body. I will start using this for other things

I guess I have been thinking this way in some way since I recently decided to try to stay away from Pringles even if they are "light" I rather put something natural in my body like almonds

TigersFanHoosierMama

Another controversial issue so I'll just skip reading all the replies and add my own .02. Nope. Drinking tons of it. Bad. Drinking some here or there along with lots of water, fresh fruits, veggies, nope. I don't believe in cutting anything out completely that you enjoy. Just don't chug it by the 2 liters.