Diet Soda

Diet coke:

Carbonated water, colour (caramel E150d), sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame-K), flavourings (including caffeine), phosphoric acid, citric acid. Contains a source of phenylalanine.

Why would anyone choose to put this in their body? (Says the man who drank Diet Coke for 30 years.)

These days there are other things I'd rather drink - coconut water, Kombucha, a nice cup of tea or an unsweetened cappuccino. Even a plain sparkling mineral water.

I have heard some say that diet soda actually increases your hunger. I don't know if it is true, I have not looked for or been told if there is any proof one way or another. I still drink diet soda, but my intake has gone down significantly as I have increased my water intake.

Regular coke:

Carbonated Water , Sugar , Colour (Caramel E150d) , Phosphoric Acid , Natural Flavourings including Caffeine.

Pretty much the same things except sugar has been replaced with aspartame and ace-k (or E951 and E950, I think) which are chemicals...in saying that though you don't just walk up to a tree and grab some sugar it's gotta be extracted and stuff.

Phosphoric Acid is used as a rust remover (extract from Wikipedia):

Rust removal

Phosphoric acid may be used as a "rust converter", by direct application to rusted iron, steel tools, or surfaces. The phosphoric acid converts reddish-brown iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3 (rust) to black ferric phosphate, FePO4.

"Rust converter" is sometimes a greenish liquid suitable for dipping (in the same sort of acid bath as is used for pickling metal), but it is more often formulated as a gel, commonly called naval jelly. It is sometimes sold under other names, such as "rust remover" or "rust killer". As a thick gel, it may be applied to sloping, vertical, or even overhead surfaces.

After treatment, the black ferric-phosphate coating can be scrubbed off, leaving a fresh metal surface. Multiple applications of phosphoric acid may be required to remove all rust. The black phosphate coating can also be left in place, where it will provide moderate further corrosion resistance (such protection is also provided by the superficially similar Parkerizing and blued electrochemical conversion coating processes).

And in saying that I'll still drink it occasionally!!

I cut out all pop( I drank diet pepsi) a year and a half ago except for an occasional small amount of sprite, in hopes to drop weight. It worked for other people I know. The only thing it did for me was improved my skin and now I have a hard time staying hydrated. But I just finished a college nutrition course and the instructor drinks it. He sais anything in moderation is just fine. There are no "bad foods"

I went off it when a UK TV programme on household tips recommended for descaling toilets and removing tarnish from brass...

I went off it when a UK TV programme on household tips recommended for descaling toilets and removing tarnish from brass...

basically, this...

*says she who drinks diet sprite with her rum from time to time but figures the alcohol might minimize the effects of the tarnish removing minerals*

gave up pop 4 months ago. Switched to water and tea. Every now and then I get a craving, but I have read so much about how bad it is for your health and it can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

I think it has to do with that.

You know, it's also worse for you than water ^_^

I have heard some say that diet soda actually increases your hunger. I don't know if it is true, I have not looked for or been told if there is any proof one way or another. I still drink diet soda, but my intake has gone down significantly as I have increased my water intake.

It's actually the artificial sweeteners in the diet soda, it basically shuts out feelings of satiety. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080210183902.htm)

As for the cancer things (as I've seen someone mentioning in here), there has been no credible evidence that the ingredients in diet soda cause.

Basically, diet soda is alright... just don't go crazy on it -- go EASY on it. I see some people drink it like it's some sort of nectar from the gods.

*edit* -- additional source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diet-soda/AN01732

aspartame has been shown to increase blood sugar levels and cravings for actual sugar and sweet things.

Stop making things up.

I went off it when a UK TV programme on household tips recommended for descaling toilets and removing tarnish from brass...

basically, this...

*says she who drinks diet sprite with her rum from time to time but figures the alcohol might minimize the effects of the tarnish removing minerals*

Lemon and vinegar are great cleaning products as well so that blows that argument out of the water

Ditto to baking soda, ketchup, and probably lots of other things that I can't think about right now.
I am not going to sit here and argue that diet soda is GOOD for you-- even though I drink it a little too frequently -- because it's clearly not GOOD for you. But I'm also not going to demonize it as being inherently BAD for you either. In moderation, it probably doesn't cause cancer or stones, or any of the other things people say it will do. Yes, for some it will cause bloating or gassiness, but unless you have a sensitivity to artificial sweeteners, it's not poison. (I don't know that Crystal Light is any better for you, but some people who are quick to pan diet soda in one breath will say in the other that they drink Crystal Light instead.)

Water is certainly healthier and likely is the best choice for hydration. Diet soda does not CAUSE weight gain, per se, but I have heard that since diet soda has no calories, its sweetness "tricks" the brain and causes the drinker to want to satisfy his/her sweet tooth and hunger with things that actually do have calories since they've gotten the sweetness but no caloric payout. That said, if you're tracking your food you're already taking control of what you put into your mouth. And if you're using diet soda instead of full sugar soda with a meal, for instance, than you're making a reasonable trade-off. Everything in moderation has been my mantra lately.

It's all the artificial crap that goes into it. BUT...... doesn't stop me from drinking diet pop!!! I limit it to one glass a day:drinker:

People say diet soda is dangerous because of aspartame. However, the studies that have shown it causes cancer were done on rats, and they were given a outrageous amount of it. I would reccoment checking out this video on the topic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdiY5SoWzNg

It is the artifical sweeteners people are talking about. But then again, regular soda isn't good for you either. I think it's blown out of proportion.

I rarely drink soda, (and when I do, it's not diet because I can't stand the taste) but I think anything in moderation is fine. One or two a week is fine and if it keeps you sane, go for it.

Have no idea, but I drank some Diet Pepsi Sunday after having only water since before Christmas, and it felt like it was burning my throat as I swallowed. Freaky feeling...but otherwise it was pretty good. Still love my water tho!:drinker: