Is giving up diet soda really worth it?

There are scientific studies. As well, as a scientist, I know for a fact that the chemicals in diet soda (and some in all sodas) have negative effects on the bodies metabolic systems. The studies are there if you do the research!

I think that people tend to think if something is good then it must be bad. They then create stories to support their beliefs. If there were quality scientific studies saying that diet drinks have negative consequences, then I would give diet drinks up. Otherwise, I am not. Also know, we all have been wrong in our lives and I may be wrong. If so, then studies will let us know.

There are scientific studies. As well, as a scientist, I know for a fact that the chemicals in diet soda (and some in all sodas) have negative effects on the bodies metabolic systems. The studies are there if you do the research!

I think that people tend to think if something is good then it must be bad. They then create stories to support their beliefs. If there were quality scientific studies saying that diet drinks have negative consequences, then I would give diet drinks up. Otherwise, I am not. Also know, we all have been wrong in our lives and I may be wrong. If so, then studies will let us know.

if you have phenylketonuria?

http://cdnutritionandfitness.com/aspartame-is-the-devil/

Has been the best decision of my life is to quit drinking soda, it's been 7 years. The only time I even require soda if rare at that is in mixed drinks otherwise I drink beer. I lost weight immediately and replaced the caffeine need in coffee & tea.

Aspartame is known to cause joint issues

Nope.

I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?

Go to nih.gov. There is a lot of research. Some says that aspartame is safe, some says it isn't. Personally, I don't think that in moderation it poses significant risks. But I don't think that I'd go crazy with it either. If I was taking any medication, or had any health issues, I would definitely discuss that with my provider.

I quit diet soda back in December of 2012 after trying to "cut back" and going through aspartame withdraw anyway. So I just cut it. Boy was I a bear for about a week. I only use truvia for my coffee. I feel a million times better. I have more energy, my stomach acid problems have decreased, as have the chronic under eye cirlces and exhaustion. I also see a HUGE reduction in sugar cravings/munchies! I'm finally maintaining my weight with diet and exercise and now starting to lose!

Aspartame is known to cause joint issues

Nope.

I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?

If you look through my posting history, you'd probably think I work for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Talenti, Fitbit, Five Guys, and Kellogg's.

I don't. I value reality and intellectual integrity, and take issue with spurious claims about anything. I'm the sort of guy who, in political debates, constantly gets accused of being both a Democrat and Republican by different people at different times because I criticize invalid or illogical arguments from either side.

I actually just researched aspartame on nih.gov. It does seem that they have found it to be safe, but they also found that it could increase appetite (a side effect I can do without!) But I also wonder (without wanting to sound paranoid) about the politics behind the entire issue. Whose interests are the most served by declaring it to be safe? I think that most things are safe in moderation (except crack) and anything could have negative side effects if abused. Taco Bell is just nasty though. :happy:

Go to nih.gov. There is a lot of research. Some says that aspartame is safe, some says it isn't. Personally, I don't think that in moderation it poses significant risks. But I don't think that I'd go crazy with it either. If I was taking any medication, or had any health issues, I would definitely discuss that with my provider.

Please, link me to some research that shows aspartame is "unsafe." In particular, please link me to some research that establishes that aspartame causes joint issues, because that's what you accused me of having an undisclosed financial bias over.

Here's one..granted, it is on rats...
Effect of long term intake of aspartame on antioxidant defense status in liver.
Abhilash M, Paul MV, Varghese MV, Nair RH.
Source
School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India.
Abstract
The present study evaluates the effect of long term intake of aspartame, the artificial sweetener, on liver antioxidant system and hepatocellular injury in animal model. Eighteen adult male Wistar rats, weighing 150-175 g, were randomly divided into three groups as follows: first group was given aspartame dissolved in water in a dose of 500 mg/kg b.wt.; the second group was given a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.wt.; and controls were given water freely. Rats that had received aspartame (1000 mg/kg b.wt.) in the drinking water for 180 days showed a significant increase in activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly reduced in the liver of rats that had received aspartame (1000 mg/kg b.wt.). Glutathione was significantly decreased in both the experimental groups. Histopathological examination revealed leukocyte infiltration in aspartame-treated rats (1000 mg/kg b.wt.).

**It can be concluded from these observations that long term consumption of aspartame leads to hepatocellular injury and alterations in liver antioxidant status mainly through glutathione dependent system.**

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PMID: 21376768 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

I completely gave up soda 3 years ago. One of the best choices I have made. I lost 15 pounds at the time simply from cutting soda. Plus after quitting it I actually had more energy, felt like I could do more things like exercise and all those caffeine withdrawal symptoms went away after awhile. Once I replaced all the soda with water my skin and hair looked better, my mood was better, I slept better and had more energy. So I'd say yes it is totally worth it.

Yes giving up regular pop will help you drop weight but that is your lowered sugar intake...diet soda on the other hand...eh....I have them in my house all the time...

I have one rule...no pop until I drink my water tho so I have it in the evening with ice...not every day but sometimes it's a nice refreshing change with all that fizz....and of course I need somethign to put my alcohol in as well...

Go to nih.gov. There is a lot of research. Some says that aspartame is safe, some says it isn't. Personally, I don't think that in moderation it poses significant risks. But I don't think that I'd go crazy with it either. If I was taking any medication, or had any health issues, I would definitely discuss that with my provider.

Please, link me to some research that shows aspartame is "unsafe." In particular, please link me to some research that establishes that aspartame causes joint issues, because that's what you accused me of having an undisclosed financial bias over.

Here's one..granted, it is on rats...
Effect of long term intake of aspartame on antioxidant defense status in liver.
Abhilash M, Paul MV, Varghese MV, Nair RH.
Source
School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India.
Abstract
The present study evaluates the effect of long term intake of aspartame, the artificial sweetener, on liver antioxidant system and hepatocellular injury in animal model. Eighteen adult male Wistar rats, weighing 150-175 g, were randomly divided into three groups as follows: first group was given aspartame dissolved in water in a dose of 500 mg/kg b.wt.; the second group was given a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.wt.; and controls were given water freely. Rats that had received aspartame (1000 mg/kg b.wt.) in the drinking water for 180 days showed a significant increase in activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly reduced in the liver of rats that had received aspartame (1000 mg/kg b.wt.). Glutathione was significantly decreased in both the experimental groups. Histopathological examination revealed leukocyte infiltration in aspartame-treated rats (1000 mg/kg b.wt.).

**It can be concluded from these observations that long term consumption of aspartame leads to hepatocellular injury and alterations in liver antioxidant status mainly through glutathione dependent system.**

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PMID: 21376768 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Those rats were given the aspartame equivalent of about 400 cans of Diet Coke all at once every day for six months. It looks like the rats that were given 200 cans of Diet Coke per day for six months showed no difference from the control, interestingly.