Aspartame in diet sodas causes diabets and weight gain?!
Replies
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PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »
I can do you one better. Here's my ticker AND my diabetes has gone into remission since subbing diet soda for the sugary stuff. (Although you have me beat because you are at goal and I am still working on it)
I actually still have 2 lbs to go, but that's only my first goal. In a couple of weeks I'll be 15 lbs from goal.
I never did develop diabetes, but it runs in the family, and I don't intend to continue the cycle. Coke Zero all the way! (except they're not making it anymore, and the new stuff tastes like regular coke mixed with diet coke. :sadpanda: )3 -
PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »
I can do you one better. Here's my ticker AND my diabetes has gone into remission since subbing diet soda for the sugary stuff. (Although you have me beat because you are at goal and I am still working on it)
I actually still have 2 lbs to go, but that's only my first goal. In a couple of weeks I'll be 15 lbs from goal.
I never did develop diabetes, but it runs in the family, and I don't intend to continue the cycle. Coke Zero all the way! (except they're not making it anymore, and the new stuff tastes like regular coke mixed with diet coke. :sadpanda: )
Partial to Caffeine free Diet Dr. Pepper myself. That or Diet Vernors Ginger Ale.0 -
There are some data that some forms of artificial sweeteners affect the gut micro biome & insulin response in an unhelpful way - but there are no conclusive data at this time, OP.
There are a lot of things that can adjust gut microbes. But changes in gut bacteria can be good bad or indifferent. But you would be hard pressed to see any research that supports that non calorie sweeteners have an effect on insulin.
Yes, I agree that lots of things adjust gut microbes. And so far it's only mouse studies that suggest non-calorie sweeteners have a deleterious effect on glucose intolerance, and we aren't mice. As I said, there are no conclusive data at this time. This is a reasonable review of the literature. I cherry picked this quotation:
"The artificial sweeteners saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame represent another dietary controversy. Artificial sweeteners were originally marketed as a health-conscious, no-calorie food option that could be used to replace natural sugar. Recent evidence from Suez et al. suggests that consumption of all types of artificial sweeteners is actually more likely to induce glucose intolerance than consumption of pure glucose and sucrose. Interestingly, artificial sweeteners are thought to mediate this effect through alteration of gut microbiota. For instance, saccharin-fed mice were noted to have intestinal dysbiosis with increased relative abundance of Bacteroides and reduced Lactobacillus reuteri [59]. These microbial shifts directly oppose those induced by intake of natural sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose)-as mentioned above. The evidence seems to suggest that, contrary to popular belief, artificial sweeteners may actually be unhealthier to consume than natural sugars."
The full article is here: https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-017-1175-y6 -
https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/diabesity
Medical Definition of diabesity
: obesity associated with diabetes : the state of being very overweight or obese and of having type 2 diabetes or one of the conditions (such as insulin resistance) that precedes it
Hectic work schedules, stress, cheap and easy fast food and sedentary lifestyles glued to the television set are some reasons why people fall into the trap of “diabesity.”—Meena Murthy, The Home News Tribune (East Brunswick, New Jersey), 15 Nov. 2011
On the one hand, hey, I was right! On the other hand, *side-eyes MerriamWebster.com*9 -
I have lost over 100 pounds and I guzzle down Diet Mountain Dew like it is going out of style daily. Though aside from the obvious weight gain it has caused me, the word on the streets is that I probably have a low sperm count now from it14
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WinoGelato wrote: »https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/diabesity
Medical Definition of diabesity
: obesity associated with diabetes : the state of being very overweight or obese and of having type 2 diabetes or one of the conditions (such as insulin resistance) that precedes it
Hectic work schedules, stress, cheap and easy fast food and sedentary lifestyles glued to the television set are some reasons why people fall into the trap of “diabesity.”—Meena Murthy, The Home News Tribune (East Brunswick, New Jersey), 15 Nov. 2011
I assumed that was an unintentional mashup from previous poster, I still do, in fact - but knowing it has made it into the M-W annals is interesting!
I am totally going to use diabesity now instead of the previously popular Beetus.
What if you called it the O'Beetus?7 -
My husband used to drink a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew a day. Another friend Diet Coke..like nonstop. Neither one was/is overweight but they both developed type 2 Diabetes. When I was in my twenties I drank diet drinks non-stop. I'm 5'10 and weighed 129 lbs at the time. I haven't developed Diabetes but I found out that I was almost prediabetic. I think it's a combination of genetics, activity levels, belly fat and diet. I haven't had soda in two years besides one time taking a sip. I spit it out as there was a very strong chemical taste that I never noticed before. I think anything you overdo can be bad(even exercise!) and have consequences on your health.I would try cutting back and see how you feel18
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I have been drinking diet soda as well as regular for many years. I also drink quite a bit of water. I had never had any problems with being diabetic, not even prediabetic, until I went through 6 months of intensive chemo in 2011. Talk about a shock to me and my oncologist. There are so many things that can cause diabetes, and many people have already mentioned them.2
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MichelleLaree13 wrote: »I know there is a lot of information out there saying it is ok and other information saying it isnt. I chose not to consume artificial sweeteners because I personally believe extensively processed foods arent as healthy.
I dont think it necessarily effects weight loss although I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners screw with our perception of what sweet tastes like since they are so much sweeter than say fruit sugar.
I just don't understand this mindset that processing is inherently bad, that something otherwise ok (or good) becomes bad simply because of processing.
I get that some types of processing can be less idea than others. But saying it's bad simply because it is processed doesn't make sense.10 -
MichelleLaree13 wrote: »I know there is a lot of information out there saying it is ok and other information saying it isnt. I chose not to consume artificial sweeteners because I personally believe extensively processed foods arent as healthy.
I dont think it necessarily effects weight loss although I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners screw with our perception of what sweet tastes like since they are so much sweeter than say fruit sugar.
I just don't understand this mindset that processing is inherently bad, that something otherwise ok (or good) becomes bad simply because of processing.
I get that some types of processing can be less idea than others. But saying it's bad simply because it is processed doesn't make sense.
She said "extensively processed" which could be equivalent to the Brazilian government's Ultra Processed: http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_alimentar_populacao_ingles.pdf
They have different recommendations based on:
1. Natural/minimally processed
2. Processed
3. Ultra processed0 -
HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »For some of us, the sweet flavor of Diet Coke piques our appetite. I am one of those so I gave up Diet Coke and have more control over my eating. No, Diet Coke wasn't directly making me fat, it was making me feel hungry. Eating too much in response was making me fat.
Studies do show diet soda making people hungrier is common. Oddly, it doesn't seem to be common among MFP posters.12 -
kshama2001 wrote: »HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »For some of us, the sweet flavor of Diet Coke piques our appetite. I am one of those so I gave up Diet Coke and have more control over my eating. No, Diet Coke wasn't directly making me fat, it was making me feel hungry. Eating too much in response was making me fat.
Studies do show diet soda making people hungrier is common. Oddly, it doesn't seem to be common among MFP posters.
they are a peculiar species10 -
kshama2001 wrote: »MichelleLaree13 wrote: »I know there is a lot of information out there saying it is ok and other information saying it isnt. I chose not to consume artificial sweeteners because I personally believe extensively processed foods arent as healthy.
I dont think it necessarily effects weight loss although I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners screw with our perception of what sweet tastes like since they are so much sweeter than say fruit sugar.
I just don't understand this mindset that processing is inherently bad, that something otherwise ok (or good) becomes bad simply because of processing.
I get that some types of processing can be less idea than others. But saying it's bad simply because it is processed doesn't make sense.
She said "extensively processed" which could be equivalent to the Brazilian government's Ultra Processed: http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_alimentar_populacao_ingles.pdf
They have different recommendations based on:
1. Natural/minimally processed
2. Processed
3. Ultra processed
Here's a decent summary/discussion of the Brazilian recommendations: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/01/the-brazilian-guide-to-food-and-life/422301/
I don't eat flavored yogurts much -- I prefer to use plain yogurt as a vehicle for berries or other fruit. However, I think it's interesting that sweetened/flavored yogurts are considered an ultra processed food because unbalanced and people will overeat, and the recommendation is "don't consume." I suspect that flavored yogurts are a food that most can consume in moderation and work easily into a balanced diet.
A lot of the things about the Brazilian recommendations are consistent with how I eat, but are they necessary to have a healthy diet? I'm skeptical.
I'm also not sure what instant noodles are, but the idea that they are bad because unbalanced seems questionable to me too (and they are specifically a food called out). I can make a VERY balanced, healthy meal with pasta (presumably about the same as an instant noodle in nutritional content) plus shrimp or some other lean meat and lots of vegetables, plus some olive oil. That was a staple when I was losing.
Also, the recommended breakfast doesn't seem consistent to me with the recommendation to eat processed (not ultra processed) foods only sparingly.3 -
Cup Ramen and stuff like that are instant noodles.
I make them fairly often, mix in an egg, some veggies and meat and boom you got yourself something nutritious that fills you.15 -
esmerelda9479 wrote: »My husband used to drink a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew a day. Another friend Diet Coke..like nonstop. Neither one was/is overweight but they both developed type 2 Diabetes. When I was in my twenties I drank diet drinks non-stop. I'm 5'10 and weighed 129 lbs at the time. I haven't developed Diabetes but I found out that I was almost prediabetic. I think it's a combination of genetics, activity levels, belly fat and diet. I haven't had soda in two years besides one time taking a sip. I spit it out as there was a very strong chemical taste that I never noticed before. I think anything you overdo can be bad(even exercise!) and have consequences on your health.I would try cutting back and see how you feel
Not that everyone needs to have a background in biochemistry, but the whole "insulin causes fat and diabetes" statement is overly simplistic and is actually not seeing the entire picture. There are foods that cause and insulinogenic and a glycemic response. We know this. Without either insulin or glucose we would die. So neither insulin or glucose is good or bad on their own, but an excess of either isn't going to be optimal.
As far as obesity is concerned, fat cells (adipocytes) do play a large part in energy metabolism and substrate usage or storage. Excess storage should hopefully be obvious that fat/weight gain is going to occur. As adipocyte energy status drive the demand for signaling, insulin actually responds to cellular needs by either directing nutrient traffic into or outside of cells, fat cells/adipocytes included.
In the adipose model of diabetes, when fat cells reach their maximal storage potential, insulin being a responder to the fat cell's signal that no more can be stored in that cell, more insulin needs to be present to hold everything in place and reject incoming substrate to put into another fat cell or shove into a non-storage cell or tissue, like organs.. places you don't want them stored. This excess storage of substrate in the wrong places is what causes metabolic dysfunction like diabetes and fatty liver.
So what drives the cell need to either store or burn substrates? Energy status. In a caloric deficit, your body is basically constantly asking for energy to function since homeostasis from outside food isn't meeting those needs, so it will pull from protein, glycogen/glucose, and fat. If your body is consistently pulling from stores, then you will lose fat and weight, leading to shrinking fat cells and decreased insulin by default. The opposite is true. When there's more energy coming in than can be used, the cells just check if they need energy, if not, it gets stored.
In the end, the best non-medicated way to reverse metabolic syndrome and dysfunction is to reverse the process that led it there in the first place. Create a demand for energy use to reduce the need for increased insulin presence, fat cell size, and storage.
Notice I didn't mention anything about specific incoming macros or substrates. So aspartame being a relatively benign chemical that has a negligible net caloric effect on energy status, really wouldn't lead to obesity or diabetes.
Source: Adipocyte dysfunctions linking obesity to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Chronic inflammation in adipose tissue triggers insulin resistance in skeletal muscle
a | In the lean state, small adipocytes efficiently store fatty acids as triglyceride (TG input, arrow), which can be mobilized and used to generate ATP through the mitochondrial β-oxidation pathway in muscle during periods of caloric need. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake under these conditions is normal.
b | Excess caloric intake leads to metabolic overload, increased TG input and adipocyte enlargement. Nonetheless, in non-diabetic overweight individuals, TG storage by adipose cells and β-oxidation in muscle can often be maintained to prevent insulin resistance.
c | On further overloading with TG, hypertrophy of adipocytes and increased secretion of macrophage chemoattractants occurs, including the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; arrows), which recruits additional macrophages.
d | Macrophage recruitment in turn results in a pro-inflammatory state in obese adipose tissue. Infiltrating macrophages secrete large amounts of tumour-necrosis factor-α (TNFα), which results in a chronic inflammatory state with impaired TG deposition and increased lipolysis (arrow and plus signal). The excess of circulating TG and free fatty acids results in the accumulation of activated lipids in the muscle (yellow dots), disrupting functions such as mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and insulin-stimulated glucose transport, thus triggering insulin resistance.13 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »MichelleLaree13 wrote: »I know there is a lot of information out there saying it is ok and other information saying it isnt. I chose not to consume artificial sweeteners because I personally believe extensively processed foods arent as healthy.
I dont think it necessarily effects weight loss although I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners screw with our perception of what sweet tastes like since they are so much sweeter than say fruit sugar.
I just don't understand this mindset that processing is inherently bad, that something otherwise ok (or good) becomes bad simply because of processing.
I get that some types of processing can be less idea than others. But saying it's bad simply because it is processed doesn't make sense.
She said "extensively processed" which could be equivalent to the Brazilian government's Ultra Processed: http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_alimentar_populacao_ingles.pdf
They have different recommendations based on:
1. Natural/minimally processed
2. Processed
3. Ultra processed
Here's a decent summary/discussion of the Brazilian recommendations: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/01/the-brazilian-guide-to-food-and-life/422301/
I don't eat flavored yogurts much -- I prefer to use plain yogurt as a vehicle for berries or other fruit. However, I think it's interesting that sweetened/flavored yogurts are considered an ultra processed food because unbalanced and people will overeat, and the recommendation is "don't consume." I suspect that flavored yogurts are a food that most can consume in moderation and work easily into a balanced diet.
A lot of the things about the Brazilian recommendations are consistent with how I eat, but are they necessary to have a healthy diet? I'm skeptical.
I'm also not sure what instant noodles are, but the idea that they are bad because unbalanced seems questionable to me too (and they are specifically a food called out). I can make a VERY balanced, healthy meal with pasta (presumably about the same as an instant noodle in nutritional content) plus shrimp or some other lean meat and lots of vegetables, plus some olive oil. That was a staple when I was losing.
Also, the recommended breakfast doesn't seem consistent to me with the recommendation to eat processed (not ultra processed) foods only sparingly.
Thanks for the link!
I thought the problem with instant noodles was going to be the flavor package, but apparently, preliminary studies show that instant noodles break down differently than regular.
Presumably there are links to the actual studies in the articles for those who are interested in that. I'm just hearing about this and am not yet taking a position one way or the other.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/the-harmful-effects-of-instant-ramen-noodles/ar-AAof5H0
..The high sodium content in instant noodle products is obvious, but the main culprit is the noodles themselves. In another study by Dr. Braden Kuo, director of the gastrointestinal motility laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University, the doctor found unsettling results after testing digestion of the noodles. He used a tiny camera to study the breakdown of instant ramen noodles in the stomach and found out just how difficult it is for your body to digest the preservative-filled noodles. Warning: the photos are graphic. A preservative called TBHQ, which is found in many processed foods including Reese's and Chicken McNuggets, extends shelf life of fatty foods and makes them harder to digest. It's one of the many ingredients in Maruchan Chicken Ramen...
http://college.usatoday.com/2012/06/23/breaking-down-ramen-noodles-literally/
...“The most striking thing during the time intervals of two, four and six hours was the degree of breakdown of Ramen noodles,” Kuo said. “At two and four hours, the particular size of the Ramen noodle was much larger or formed than the homemade Ramen noodle at each of those time points, suggesting Ramen noodles were difficult to break down into extremely infinite particulate matter during the process of digestion.”
A video released on the study at TEDxManhattan’s “Changing the Way We Eat” has since gone viral and prompted discussion among researchers, nutritionists, physicians and Ramen noodle consumers...
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kshama2001 wrote: »HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »For some of us, the sweet flavor of Diet Coke piques our appetite. I am one of those so I gave up Diet Coke and have more control over my eating. No, Diet Coke wasn't directly making me fat, it was making me feel hungry. Eating too much in response was making me fat.
Studies do show diet soda making people hungrier is common. Oddly, it doesn't seem to be common among MFP posters.
Perhaps because it also happens to contain caffeine, which is a known appetite suppressant?0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »MichelleLaree13 wrote: »I know there is a lot of information out there saying it is ok and other information saying it isnt. I chose not to consume artificial sweeteners because I personally believe extensively processed foods arent as healthy.
I dont think it necessarily effects weight loss although I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners screw with our perception of what sweet tastes like since they are so much sweeter than say fruit sugar.
I just don't understand this mindset that processing is inherently bad, that something otherwise ok (or good) becomes bad simply because of processing.
I get that some types of processing can be less idea than others. But saying it's bad simply because it is processed doesn't make sense.
She said "extensively processed" which could be equivalent to the Brazilian government's Ultra Processed: http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_alimentar_populacao_ingles.pdf
They have different recommendations based on:
1. Natural/minimally processed
2. Processed
3. Ultra processed
I wasn't referring just to her post; there are many on the forums that call processed foods bad just because they are processed.
But even for "ultra processed," I think one must look at what about it is making it "bad." For example, someone mentioned instant noodles and that they may break down differently than regular pasta. That makes some sense as a potential reason to avoid them. But does all processing create problems like that? The Brazil recommendations call foods ultra processed if they are fatty, sweet, or salty packaged foods, and they do list cola, soda, and other soft drinks, but is it because of their sugar or some other reason? If ultra processed foods (or extremely processed foods) are defined that way because they are nutritionally unbalanced, why not just say that you avoid nutritionally unbalanced foods? Why the need to use the buzz-word "processed"?
Relating specifically to diet soda, aspartame is simply two joined amino acids that happens to give a very sweet taste. So, how processed is diet soda? And is it bad simply because it is processed? I don't think so.3 -
kshama2001 wrote: »HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »For some of us, the sweet flavor of Diet Coke piques our appetite. I am one of those so I gave up Diet Coke and have more control over my eating. No, Diet Coke wasn't directly making me fat, it was making me feel hungry. Eating too much in response was making me fat.
Studies do show diet soda making people hungrier is common. Oddly, it doesn't seem to be common among MFP posters.
Maybe because MFP users, for the most part, log what they eat and calorie control rather than go by "feeling hungry." (And/or are aware of true hunger vs appetite?)14 -
I actually did think about that theory. One thing i did, when i first started my weight loss, was to switch from regular Coke to Zero. After losing quite a lot of weight successfully, i thought that perhaps dropping it completely will help with reducing carvings. Tried that for month, got opposite result. Clearly in my case artificially sweetened zero calorie drinks help my brain to deal with sugar cravings better9
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I drink diet soda regularly, in fact I've had 2 1/2 cups today, but yet I have very little appetite. And as an added bonus, lost 3 lbs this week!2
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I actually did think about that theory. One thing i did, when i first started my weight loss, was to switch from regular Coke to Zero. After losing quite a lot of weight successfully, i thought that perhaps dropping it completely will help with reducing carvings. Tried that for month, got opposite result. Clearly in my case artificially sweetened zero calorie drinks help my brain to deal with sugar cravings better
Me to3 -
TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »There is one interesting statistic. People that choose to drink water instead of diet sodas tend to weigh less. Why? We may never know. I read it in Prevention Magazine. I'm not going to spend the time looking it up.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Aspartame still triggers an insulin response. It's garbage don't eat it at all. Too much insulin leads to diabesity. Lol
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
14 -
kshama2001 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »MichelleLaree13 wrote: »I know there is a lot of information out there saying it is ok and other information saying it isnt. I chose not to consume artificial sweeteners because I personally believe extensively processed foods arent as healthy.
I dont think it necessarily effects weight loss although I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners screw with our perception of what sweet tastes like since they are so much sweeter than say fruit sugar.
I just don't understand this mindset that processing is inherently bad, that something otherwise ok (or good) becomes bad simply because of processing.
I get that some types of processing can be less idea than others. But saying it's bad simply because it is processed doesn't make sense.
She said "extensively processed" which could be equivalent to the Brazilian government's Ultra Processed: http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_alimentar_populacao_ingles.pdf
They have different recommendations based on:
1. Natural/minimally processed
2. Processed
3. Ultra processed
Here's a decent summary/discussion of the Brazilian recommendations: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/01/the-brazilian-guide-to-food-and-life/422301/
I don't eat flavored yogurts much -- I prefer to use plain yogurt as a vehicle for berries or other fruit. However, I think it's interesting that sweetened/flavored yogurts are considered an ultra processed food because unbalanced and people will overeat, and the recommendation is "don't consume." I suspect that flavored yogurts are a food that most can consume in moderation and work easily into a balanced diet.
A lot of the things about the Brazilian recommendations are consistent with how I eat, but are they necessary to have a healthy diet? I'm skeptical.
I'm also not sure what instant noodles are, but the idea that they are bad because unbalanced seems questionable to me too (and they are specifically a food called out). I can make a VERY balanced, healthy meal with pasta (presumably about the same as an instant noodle in nutritional content) plus shrimp or some other lean meat and lots of vegetables, plus some olive oil. That was a staple when I was losing.
Also, the recommended breakfast doesn't seem consistent to me with the recommendation to eat processed (not ultra processed) foods only sparingly.
Thanks for the link!
I thought the problem with instant noodles was going to be the flavor package, but apparently, preliminary studies show that instant noodles break down differently than regular.
Presumably there are links to the actual studies in the articles for those who are interested in that. I'm just hearing about this and am not yet taking a position one way or the other.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/the-harmful-effects-of-instant-ramen-noodles/ar-AAof5H0
..The high sodium content in instant noodle products is obvious, but the main culprit is the noodles themselves. In another study by Dr. Braden Kuo, director of the gastrointestinal motility laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University, the doctor found unsettling results after testing digestion of the noodles. He used a tiny camera to study the breakdown of instant ramen noodles in the stomach and found out just how difficult it is for your body to digest the preservative-filled noodles. Warning: the photos are graphic. A preservative called TBHQ, which is found in many processed foods including Reese's and Chicken McNuggets, extends shelf life of fatty foods and makes them harder to digest. It's one of the many ingredients in Maruchan Chicken Ramen...
http://college.usatoday.com/2012/06/23/breaking-down-ramen-noodles-literally/
...“The most striking thing during the time intervals of two, four and six hours was the degree of breakdown of Ramen noodles,” Kuo said. “At two and four hours, the particular size of the Ramen noodle was much larger or formed than the homemade Ramen noodle at each of those time points, suggesting Ramen noodles were difficult to break down into extremely infinite particulate matter during the process of digestion.”
A video released on the study at TEDxManhattan’s “Changing the Way We Eat” has since gone viral and prompted discussion among researchers, nutritionists, physicians and Ramen noodle consumers...
Are you describing a feature or a bug?
If I were trying to minimise the number of calories I eat... why would I NOT want my food to take longer to digest?4 -
esmerelda9479 wrote: »My husband used to drink a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew a day. Another friend Diet Coke..like nonstop. Neither one was/is overweight but they both developed type 2 Diabetes. When I was in my twenties I drank diet drinks non-stop. I'm 5'10 and weighed 129 lbs at the time. I haven't developed Diabetes but I found out that I was almost prediabetic. I think it's a combination of genetics, activity levels, belly fat and diet. I haven't had soda in two years besides one time taking a sip. I spit it out as there was a very strong chemical taste that I never noticed before. I think anything you overdo can be bad(even exercise!) and have consequences on your health.I would try cutting back and see how you feel
One of my grandmothers drank diet a&w root beer nonstop. The other one didn't. Neither were obese (except the diet root beer one near the end of her life- in her 90's) both were slightly overweight at times though.
The A&W drinking grandmother never had any blood sugar issues. The other one developed type 2 in her 50's. The big difference? The one who developed T2D had many relatives with the disorder, even those with healthy lifestyles.6 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »You find 2 extremes on MFP
- OMG, everything I eat and drink is going to kill me!
- You can eat anything on Earth in any quantity and nothing will hurt you, ever: it is all just a conspiracy against the food industry
Find your comfort zone somewhere in between...
I challenge you to present one real example of someone making this claim.20 -
Just read this yesterday:
Is Diet Soda Actually Bad For You?
Here's what the experts have to say about diet soda
BY NINA BAHADUR FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH September 6, 2017
Diet soda may seem like a fairly harmless treat. After all, it's low-calorie and not sweetened with sugar! But experts are worried about the chemicals present in diet soda, as well as studies linking it to health problems. Which begs the question: Is diet soda bad for you?
Turns out, there's not a huge consensus on the topic. For some experts, diet soda is just not worth it. "Just get rid of it," Keri Glassman, R.D.N., advises. "It is filled with unhealthy chemicals, including artificial sweeteners, which actually make you crave more calories later." Glassman notes that diet drinks are linked to weight gain, increased blood pressure, and diabetes.
But Cara Harbstreet, R.D., of Street Smart Nutrition thinks the issue is a bit more nuanced. She points out that a lot of the research is self-reported by participants, so it may not be completely accurate. Plus, she says that observational studies can't establish a distinct "cause and effect" relationship. "Consumers of diet soda who engage in other lifestyle behaviors associated with poor health outcomes are at a greater risk than those who balance their intake of diet soda with other healthful habits," she says. Variables at play, she says, include being sedentary versus being active, tobacco and alcohol use, and more. "The variables make it difficult to pinpoint whether diet soda consumption alone is the cause of negative health outcomes, or whether it’s the culmination of a number of factors," she says. "I lean towards the latter, since nothing in nutrition or health exists in a vacuum."
Harbstreet says that many of her clients struggle to give up carbonated beverages entirely, because who doesn't love bubbles? "Choosing to drink (or eat) any one specific item is always a deeply personal choice," Harbstreet says. "So I pose the question, which is the lesser of two evils? You always have a choice and in this case it comes down to whether you’d rather have a small amount of artificial sweetener in your drink or a high amount of refined and added sugar." For those looking to cut down, she recommends taking a few steps like switching to seltzer or no longer keeping soda in the house, but ordering it at a restaurant or bar. (Kick-start your new, healthy routine with Women's Health's 12-Week Total-Body Transformation!)
Harbstreet also encourages her clients to look at the bigger picture, and keep everything they consume in context. "A single ingredient or food doesn’t have the ability to completely derail an otherwise balanced and nourishing way of eating," she says. "So if they want to indulge from time to time, I support that. After all, I do that myself!"
The bottom line: Diet soda consumption is linked to some pretty serious health problems. But if it's your go-to indulgence, it's not the end of the world—especially if you're otherwise engaged in healthy lifestyle choices.
IMO, I would never take the advice from a magazine. And if anything, I would much rather take the advice of a PhD over a RD.
https://youtu.be/Dod6bUZYz4w
ps - those unhealthy chemicals are a dipeptide of amino acids.
Unfortunately, just like there are bad PhDs, there are bad RDs. I was just at a cardiac symposium and one of the speakers was an RD (with a masters and a lot of experience and up on the research), and she flat-out debunked the "OMGWTFBBQ!!! DIET SODA IS BAD FOR YOU" mentality. It was awesome.9 -
Just read this yesterday:
Is Diet Soda Actually Bad For You?
Here's what the experts have to say about diet soda
BY NINA BAHADUR FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH September 6, 2017
Diet soda may seem like a fairly harmless treat. After all, it's low-calorie and not sweetened with sugar! But experts are worried about the chemicals present in diet soda, as well as studies linking it to health problems. Which begs the question: Is diet soda bad for you?
Turns out, there's not a huge consensus on the topic. For some experts, diet soda is just not worth it. "Just get rid of it," Keri Glassman, R.D.N., advises. "It is filled with unhealthy chemicals, including artificial sweeteners, which actually make you crave more calories later." Glassman notes that diet drinks are linked to weight gain, increased blood pressure, and diabetes.
But Cara Harbstreet, R.D., of Street Smart Nutrition thinks the issue is a bit more nuanced. She points out that a lot of the research is self-reported by participants, so it may not be completely accurate. Plus, she says that observational studies can't establish a distinct "cause and effect" relationship. "Consumers of diet soda who engage in other lifestyle behaviors associated with poor health outcomes are at a greater risk than those who balance their intake of diet soda with other healthful habits," she says. Variables at play, she says, include being sedentary versus being active, tobacco and alcohol use, and more. "The variables make it difficult to pinpoint whether diet soda consumption alone is the cause of negative health outcomes, or whether it’s the culmination of a number of factors," she says. "I lean towards the latter, since nothing in nutrition or health exists in a vacuum."
Harbstreet says that many of her clients struggle to give up carbonated beverages entirely, because who doesn't love bubbles? "Choosing to drink (or eat) any one specific item is always a deeply personal choice," Harbstreet says. "So I pose the question, which is the lesser of two evils? You always have a choice and in this case it comes down to whether you’d rather have a small amount of artificial sweetener in your drink or a high amount of refined and added sugar." For those looking to cut down, she recommends taking a few steps like switching to seltzer or no longer keeping soda in the house, but ordering it at a restaurant or bar. (Kick-start your new, healthy routine with Women's Health's 12-Week Total-Body Transformation!)
Harbstreet also encourages her clients to look at the bigger picture, and keep everything they consume in context. "A single ingredient or food doesn’t have the ability to completely derail an otherwise balanced and nourishing way of eating," she says. "So if they want to indulge from time to time, I support that. After all, I do that myself!"
The bottom line: Diet soda consumption is linked to some pretty serious health problems. But if it's your go-to indulgence, it's not the end of the world—especially if you're otherwise engaged in healthy lifestyle choices.
IMO, I would never take the advice from a magazine. And if anything, I would much rather take the advice of a PhD over a RD.
https://youtu.be/Dod6bUZYz4w
ps - those unhealthy chemicals are a dipeptide of amino acids.
Unfortunately, just like there are bad PhDs, there are bad RDs. I was just at a cardiac symposium and one of the speakers was an RD (with a masters and a lot of experience and up on the research), and she flat-out debunked the "OMGWTFBBQ!!! DIET SODA IS BAD FOR YOU" mentality. It was awesome.
I always say, you cant fix crazy.3
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