Diet soda and regular soda are two very different drinks. They have different health risks and should not be consumed in the same amounts. The only way to determine which is the healthier choice is to look at your lifestyle. Regardless of whether you prefer diet or regular soda, there are things you can do to improve your overall health.
If you are looking for a healthier alternative, you can try fruit juice instead. This can provide the same bubbly appeal without the sugar. You can also freeze some fruit in ice cubes to recreate the effect. However, you will want to make sure you don’t drink too much of the juice. It can contain phosphoric acid which can be harmful.
Regular sodas contain some dangerous ingredients as well. Soda can cause health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart attack. One study compared the risk of heart disease between those who drank diet soda versus those who drank regular soda. Those who drank diet soda were at a 43% higher risk of cardiovascular illness.
There is also the issue of artificial sweeteners. Many of the most popular brands of diet soda use artificial sweeteners. These include aspartame and sucralose. Although aspartame has been deemed safe for most people, it can still have some nasty side effects. Specifically, it can increase the risk of obesity and binge eating. In addition, it has been linked to a number of medical conditions, including cancer.
One of the biggest problems with drinking diet soda is that the artificial sweeteners can lead to unsatisfied sugar cravings. Unsatisfied sugar cravings can lead to overeating later in the day. To combat these issues, you may wish to replace your soda with tea or plain water. While these drinks have a low calorie count, you should only drink them sparingly.
Another issue is the high sodium content of soda. According to one study, diet sodas are up to five times as high in sodium as regular sodas. Sodium is known to cause blood clots in the brain, which can ultimately lead to strokes and heart attacks.
Despite these health concerns, diet soda has been hailed as a healthy alternative. Some studies have shown that diet soda can reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. Other studies have found that it can help to reduce the fat around the liver. Still, most of these claims have not been conclusively proven.
Diet Coke contains aspartame, a preservative. Potassium benzoate is a Diet Coke additive that is classified as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. But it can also form Benzene, a chemical that can cause serious health problems.
Although you can drink soda in moderation, it is not a smart idea. There are plenty of other options you can choose from that will be more healthy for you. For example, you can try tea or natural fruit juice. Or, you can make your own sparkling water with frozen fruit.