Do you like to drink soda but don't want to experience weight gain? Maybe as a solution you've switched to diet soda. But is diet soda really healthier?
Diet soda is often considered healthier than regular soft drinks, because it has less sugar or calories. Initially this product was introduced in the 1950s for people with diabetes, but later it was marketed more broadly to those who wanted to reduce sugar consumption in soda.
Content of Soda Diet
Although it is called diet soda, it does not mean that all diet soda is truly sweetener free. Although it does not use real sugar, this drink still uses artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, or sucralose.
Generally, diet soda consists of a mixture of the following ingredients:
- Carbonated water, carbon dioxide dissolved in pressurized water.
- Artificial sweeteners are 200-13,000 times sweeter than ordinary sugar.
- Certain acids, such as citric acid, malic acid and phosphate to add to the bitter taste.
- Dyes, such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, and caramels.
- Flavors, both natural and artificial, such as fruit and spice flavors.
- Preservatives, like potassium benzoate.
There are times when diet soda also contains caffeine. Some diet sodas are even given additional vitamins and minerals to be considered healthier. However, these diet soda generally do not have the added nutrients needed by the body.
Health Risks Associated with Consumption of Diet Soda
Unfortunately, diet soda is also associated with certain health risks you know. Although it still needs further research, consuming too much diet soda is thought to be able to:
1. Increase appetite
The content of artificial sweeteners in diet soda is thought to actually be able to increase appetite by triggering the dopamine response in the brain and stimulating hunger.
2. Increase the risk of obesity
Some researchers found that consumption of diet soda and artificial sweeteners in the long run can actually increase the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, this research still needs further study. This risk is higher if consumption of diet soda is accompanied by an unhealthy diet.
3. Increase the risk of chronic kidney disease
High phosphorus content in diet soda makes the acid burden on the kidneys higher. In the long run, this condition can interfere with kidney function, and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
4. Increase the risk of stroke
Soft drinks, including diet soda consumed daily, can increase your risk of stroke. This is more risky if people who often consume diet soda already have certain medical conditions, such as obesity or high blood pressure.
Do not easily believe the claims of low levels of sugar in soft drinks, let alone assume you are already dieting by drinking diet soda. Basically, the habit of consuming drinks containing sweeteners, both original and artificial, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain.
If you only want to occasionally consume soft drinks, diet soda can be a better choice than regular soda. But if consumed in excess, diet soda can still pose a risk of health problems. For those of you who are very fond of or even addicted to diet soda, try to reduce it gradually. Better to meet the needs of daily body fluids with a choice of healthier drinks, such as mineral water.
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