It’s gone viral. After pharmacist Niraj Naik wrote an article on What Diet Coke Does to Your Body an Hour After You Drink It, the results may make even more people run from this popular “diet drink.”
You’re thirsty, but you’re trying to be health conscious. So, you grab a Diet Coke (or Diet Pepsi or any other artificially sweetened beverage…). It’s so much better to have zero calorie soda than have a soda with all of that sugar in it, right? WRONG!
First, the sweetness of the soda with no calories actually makes your body crave more sugar as stated by a study in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. This is because the sweet taste triggers your brain receptors to send messages to your tongue to salivate and so on, in preparation for the digestion process. Your body thinks it is getting food. However, there are no nutrients in the soda and therefore nothing to digest. It’s like watching a movie with no ending. It leaves you hanging. As a result of waiting for something to digest, your body tries to wake up whoever told the brain to prepare for the digestion of food by releasing the hunger hormone ghrelin. So, the false messages sent from the brain produce hunger pangs that make you hungrier. This can lead you to eat more than if you had no soda to begin with!
Blogger Niraj Naik, said: ‘A can of diet coke provides no nourishment and would replace a more nutritious drink you could have drunk while potentially depleting your body of essential minerals.
‘It will never quench your thirst as it dehydrates rather than hydrates your body. A lack of vital water can lead to brain fog, poor concentration, fatigue and feeling irritable.’
In addition, NutraSweet (or aspartame) or is the main artificial sweetener in these diet soft drinks. It has been linked to numerous adverse effects, including headaches, dizziness, mood changes, convulsions, memory loss and more. The FDA has received more complaints related to aspartame than any other food additive.
I know this to be true personally as I experienced these symptoms myself when I was a Diet Coke addict over 15 years ago. I actually thought I had Lupus as I had the same symptoms. However, as soon as gave up the Diet Coke, my symptoms immediately dissipated.
Then what is a good alternative? Obviously, the regular soda won’t cut the grade with a 12 oz can of soda containing a mind blowing 10 teaspoons of sugar! For weight loss (and in general!), stick with good old-fashioned water or seltzer for a true zero calorie drink with no crazy side effects. I love adding lemon or fresh mint leaves for a refreshing taste. Sometimes I even add a drop of peppermint extract for a little zip. I also recently discovered Hint Water as another great alternative which is Jill the Health Coach approved! Whatever you do, steer clear of the the Diet Sodas and so-called Diet Drinks!
Let’s have a conversation on Jill the Health Coach FB page!
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
“It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.”
Live well and love more,
www.JilltheHealthCoach.com
