Is giving up diet soda really worth it?
Replies
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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.0
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i think it is worth it to quit. just read the label and you'll see what a chemical cocktail it is. after quitting a 10+ year diet coke habit, i legitimately feel better. i have not lost any noticeable weight (but i also quit smoking soon after, so maybe they balanced out), but my body FEELS better. my sense of taste also improved, and i've cut back on my sweets now that i can really taste them. though i still love coffee, my caffeine need is also reduced.
for a soda substitute, try cranberry juice (or any other) + citrus seltzer water. i mix about 1/4 to 1/2 cup juice to one can of seltzer water. the carbonation will always be bad for your teeth, but it puts good things (cranberries, water) in rather than bad (weird chemicals).0 -
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/0 -
If it's the caffeine you miss, try black coffee or tea (iced if you prefer a cold drink). Caffeine isn't so bad; it has neuroprotective effects. It's the other crap in diet soda that you may want to avoid.0
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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.0
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bump0
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I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?Aspartame is known to cause joint issues
Nope.0 -
I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?Aspartame is known to cause joint issues
Nope.
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.0 -
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.0
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yes0
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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!0
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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.0 -
I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?Aspartame is known to cause joint issues
Nope.
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:0 -
I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?Aspartame is known to cause joint issues
Nope.
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:
I have no idea what you mean by "they have found it to be safe." Who has found it to be safe? That's not how science works, even remotely. A scientific experiment can look for a correlative and/or causative link between aspartame and some particular outcome, good or bad. You can't design an experiment to determine whether it's "safe" or not.
Aspartame has, to my knowledge, not been shown to cause any negative health outcome. There's no reason to give it up if you like it.0 -
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]0 -
I love the "logic" of advocating something that is universally accepted as bad for you (like pop) just because it doesn't noticeably impair your health (so far), therefore concluding that it must be healthy!
"My grandpa smoked for 50 years and didn't get lung cancer, so cigarettes must be safe! My cousin ate a bowl of lead paint chips each morning for breakfast when he was a child and he's in great shape! Come on, show me a study that conclusively states that cigarettes and lead paint are bad for you - and when you do, I'll still claim that they are good for you, because I'm a contrarian that that really loves to argue!"0 -
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...0 -
I finally quit 2 months ago. Really tough for about 1 week. But, it was worth it!
Drinking diet soda actually made me crave junk food and fast food - go figure!0 -
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.0 -
Right here. I gave up diet sodas this spring after reading that aspartame is a neurotoxin. I realized that one of the symptoms they talked about - tingling of the extremities - was happening to me. My left arm would tingle as though it was falling asleep somewhere between soda 1 & 2. I went cold turkey & haven't had any weird nerve pains since.
What have you replaced it with? Make sure it's caffeine free. Caffeine and sugars are very, very addictive, and if you are breaking an addiction, you will feel withdrawal symptoms.
But trust me, it is worth it. No more weird pain, I sleep better, my memory is better, etc. I don't know what your benefits will be, but think of the money you'll save! My husband and I stopped for fast food on the way to the beach last weekend & I had a soda & it no longer tasted good to me - I didn't even want to get a refill to take in the car!
Good Luck! You can do it , and the worst part is already behind you!0 -
universally accepted as bad for you
You don't seem to quite have a handle on what "universally" means."My grandpa smoked for 50 years and didn't get lung cancer, so cigarettes must be safe! My cousin ate a bowl of lead paint chips each morning for breakfast when he was a child and he's in great shape! Come on, show me a study that conclusively states that cigarettes and lead paint are bad for you - and when you do, I'll still claim that they are good for you, because I'm a contrarian that that really loves to argue!"
No idea what this list of anecdotes has to do with anything. There's plenty of published science that strongly establish causative links between smoking, and lead exposure, to poor outcomes.0 -
Without going into every study I read, it has been found not to be causative for cancer or other various health problems. However, one study said that the scientific community is still very divided on the issue. To your knowledge? Based on what? What have you read that says that there are no side effects? That's fine for you, but I think that every person should come to his/her own conclusion. I would not proclaim anything to be either safe or dangerous. I did not say to give it up. I said that I would drink it in moderation (as some people talk about drinking 12 to 24 cans a day). This is true of anything. You could probably overindulge in brocoli if you tried hard enough. Also, many people are on this site trying to lose weight. Studies did find that diet pop can lead to an increase in appetite. This might not apply to every single person, but it is good to know that it could potentially have that effect.
I just have to ask...which soda company do you work for?Aspartame is known to cause joint issues
Nope.
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:
I have no idea what you mean by "they have found it to be safe." Who has found it to be safe? That's not how science works, even remotely. A scientific experiment can look for a correlative and/or causative link between aspartame and some particular outcome, good or bad. You can't design an experiment to determine whether it's "safe" or not.
Aspartame has, to my knowledge, not been shown to cause any negative health outcome. There's no reason to give it up if you like it.0 -
I gave up for 6 months (from 2-3 cans of DC a day) following a 10 day detox holiday in Thailand, had no withdrawals, felt no better, lost no weight - and it meant I couldn't enjoy my Malibu either! [and I drink so little alcohol I wanna enjoy it when I do!]
Aspartame haters aside, I saw no benefit to quitting and actually if I have a craving for snacks, or to eat post-dinner, I find a sup of calorie free DC halts that!0 -
No.0
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I think the very fact that you're addicted is worth giving it up. I used to be addicted to fizzy drinks too, they were all I would drink. I managed to get kidney stones and heart palpitations. It's not healthy at all.0
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I don't care if aspartame is bad for you or not, because life is too short. But I do know that drinking Coke Zero makes chips so much more appealing, and I can eat way more chips if accompanied by a Coke. (Chips and water just seems foul to me, you know?)0
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I not only gave up soda 1 1/2 yrs ago, but I've also tried to cut out all artificial sweeteners. I feel so much better since removing these chemicals from my diet. I'm not perfect and on extremely stressful days still have a Dr. Pepper, but no more than 1-2 per month.0
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universally accepted as bad for you
You don't seem to quite have a handle on what "universally" means."My grandpa smoked for 50 years and didn't get lung cancer, so cigarettes must be safe! My cousin ate a bowl of lead paint chips each morning for breakfast when he was a child and he's in great shape! Come on, show me a study that conclusively states that cigarettes and lead paint are bad for you - and when you do, I'll still claim that they are good for you, because I'm a contrarian that that really loves to argue!"
No idea what this list of anecdotes has to do with anything. There's plenty of published science that strongly establish causative links between smoking, and lead exposure, to poor outcomes.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx0 -
universally accepted as bad for you
You don't seem to quite have a handle on what "universally" means."My grandpa smoked for 50 years and didn't get lung cancer, so cigarettes must be safe! My cousin ate a bowl of lead paint chips each morning for breakfast when he was a child and he's in great shape! Come on, show me a study that conclusively states that cigarettes and lead paint are bad for you - and when you do, I'll still claim that they are good for you, because I'm a contrarian that that really loves to argue!"
No idea what this list of anecdotes has to do with anything. There's plenty of published science that strongly establish causative links between smoking, and lead exposure, to poor outcomes.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx
Mercola, lol. Without even clicking the link, I know what it's going to say. Mercola is a quack who makes a living on scaring you into buying into his "naturalistic" or whatever books and products.
He also says that HIV is not the cause of AIDS. So, yeah.0
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