Is Diet Soda Really that Bad?

[Engineer_Guy]

Why would diet soda, or any soda for that matter hydrate you less than water? Soda is just water with carbonation and flavoring. Does plain seltzer hydrate you less than plain water? If I add one of those sugar free flavor packets to a bottle of water does it now hydrate me less than if I had left it out?


And how does diet soda and regular soda have similar macros? A diet soda has 0g of carbs, but a 12oz can of Coke has 41g of carbs. How is that similar?

Soda is a diuretic, like coffee. Look it up.

[Engineer_Guy]

My thoughts are that certainly nothing good comes from drinking diet soda so why bother? It doesn't hydrate and it doesn't provide any micro or macro nutrients. Don't forget it also has sodium and aspartame is a questionable ingredient. So basically I'm putting sodium and other questionable things into my body with no benefits at all.

[moosedahgoose]

My thoughts are that certainly nothing good comes from drinking diet soda so why bother? It doesn't hydrate and it doesn't provide any micro or macro nutrients. Don't forget it also has sodium and aspartame is a questionable ingredient. So basically I'm putting sodium and other questionable things into my body with no benefits at all.

I enjoy it. I find it compliments my meals like an aged wine.

[HealingHands8]

My thoughts are that certainly nothing good comes from drinking diet soda so why bother? It doesn't hydrate and it doesn't provide any micro or macro nutrients. Don't forget it also has sodium and aspartame is a questionable ingredient. So basically I'm putting sodium and other questionable things into my body with no benefits at all.

For me it tastes good, and statisfies cravings. Win win

[Engineer_Guy]

I enjoy it. I find it compliments my meals like an aged wine.

Boxed wine that's been on the shelf for a few months doesn't count as aged wine

[Engineer_Guy]

For me it tastes good, and statisfies cravings. Win win

If the taste is enough of a positive for you then by all means go for it. These are of course personal choices that we all make when we must weigh the positives and negatives. I still drink beer even though there are plenty of negatives around it :P

The satisfies cravings thing is interesting because there's been a lot of talk about how artificial sweeteners actually induce food cravings. However that's a big debate and I don't really have an opinion either way.

[x-ray vision]

Soda is a diuretic, like coffee. Look it up.

Not all soda contains caffeine, and even those that do:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11022872
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15467100
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caf...drinks/AN01661

My thoughts are that certainly nothing good comes from drinking diet soda so why bother?

Because your thoughts aren't evidence.

It doesn't hydrate

Wrong.

and it doesn't provide any micro or macro nutrients.

Like water.

[Engineer_Guy]

Not all soda contains caffeine, and even those that do:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11022872
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15467100
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caf...drinks/AN01661


Because your thoughts aren't evidence.


Wrong.


Like water.

That is true, you could go caffeine free route. However due to the sodium content I'd rather just stick to water. Water doesn't contain sodium or questionable artificial ingredients. Like I said, it's my thoughts about the subject.

[HealingHands8]

The satisfies cravings thing is interesting because there's been a lot of talk about how artificial sweeteners actually induce food cravings. However that's a big debate and I don't really have an opinion either way.

I would be interested in seeing some research in this area.

[kenny85]

U know the mindset...

1 soda will make you fat

1 workout followed by a shake will make you fit and healthy

[desslok]

Just don't drink "too much" of it OP.

[x-ray vision]

I would be interested in seeing some research in this area.

Three studies that found no increased hunger:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22252107
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20303371
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21255472

[x-ray vision]

That is true, you could go caffeine free route.

Did you bother to read the links? You don't have to go the caffeine free route. Your statement "It doesn't hydrate" is wrong, even with sodas that do contain caffeine.

[Engineer_Guy]

Did you bother to read the links? You don't have to go the caffeine free route. Your statement "It doesn't hydrate" is wrong, even with sodas that do contain caffeine.

I said I didn't care whether it was a diuretic or not. The sodium content and artificial sweeteners are reason enough for me.

[x-ray vision]

I said I didn't care whether it was a diuretic or not.

No, you didn't.

You made an incorrect statement regarding hydration, and when corrected said "That is true, you could go caffeine free route" totally ignoring that your statement was wrong.

The sodium content and artificial sweeteners are reason enough for me.

I'm not particularly interested in what the reasons "for you" are. I'm concerned with posters making bullsh!t claims. Artificial sweeteners are "questionable" for those that fall for internet hype.

[MetilHed]

look at it like this, do you really need it? how bad do you want to meet your goals? that sugar can throw you off same with the empty carbs.

What sugar and empty carbs ? Most diet sodas have zero cals/carbs/sugar. A very few have 5-10 calories.

honestly i think thats bull. They have similar macros. and the sugar spikes alone can cause you to gain weight. some just have a higher BMR than others and can get away with it.

How does soda and diet soda have similar macros ? when one has a buttload of sugar/carbs/cals and one has none ?

[n0useforaname]

My thoughts are that certainly nothing good comes from drinking diet soda so why bother? It doesn't hydrate and it doesn't provide any micro or macro nutrients. Don't forget it also has sodium and aspartame is a questionable ingredient. So basically I'm putting sodium and other questionable things into my body with no benefits at all.

Sodium is not bad for everyone.. esp. in moderation. Soda tastes good to me.. a diet Sierra Mist make my meal more enjoyable hands down, which in turn make me happier, which is good for my health. It also fills up my stomach and makes me feel more full. And this is a bad argument anyways, because I could say that any type of sex that is not done to procreate has no benefits at all... since technically the whole premise of sex is to create life. So why stick something in her body with no benefits at all?

[softpounder]

why wouldnt you gain weight from something in excess? thats a very arrogant statement no offense.

How are you not negged to oblivion?

Diet Soda contains 0-5 calories. Drinking in excess of diet soda will not make you gain any weight other than temporary water weight in your system.

[midcoastking33]

My thoughts are that certainly nothing good comes from drinking diet soda so why bother? It doesn't hydrate and it doesn't provide any micro or macro nutrients. Don't forget it also has sodium and aspartame is a questionable ingredient. So basically I'm putting sodium and other questionable things into my body with no benefits at all.

lol 80mg of sodium, watch out

[Mdenatale]

Not that I'm saying a diet coke is as good as steak, but as far as sodium goes a can of diet coke has around 40mg. An 8oz T-bone has around 160mg.


We've gone very far astray lol. The answer is No diet soda really isn't that bad. Anyone that says otherwise is completely full of BS.

[Dimaline312000]

To much of anything isn't good for you but I can't say 2-3 cans a day is really all that bad when I see people drinking 3-4 30oz Diet Soda's a day. You should be fine.

[PumpingFreak]

Doesn't sound like a lot, I drink over 2L

This sounds just like me, especially when cutting!

[rand18m]

Soda is a diuretic, like coffee. Look it up.

NOt enough of a diuretic to matter, it would still count towards your daily hydration, as does the food you eat.

[gixxer0.6g]

44 oz of diet dew/day crew.

Pick your poison; obesity or aspartame poisoning. While they have conflicting data on aspartame, it's been proven over and over obesity kills.

[marcoxx626]

The artificial sweetener isn't really a problem at the amounts that we drink in diet soda. The real problem with diet soda is that it's acidic (carbonic acid + phosphoric acid) which can cause your teeth to erode over time. It also has potassium benzoate (preservative) that some are believing can damage your cells. Personally....I still drink it anyways. Who cares?? Most processed foods have preservatives anyways.

[kenny878]

2. Why the fuk would you want carbon dioxide in your bloodstream?

if you had none, you would die if you fell asleep

[vimalancity]

I typically drink 2-3 cans of diet soda per day (I know that is quite a lot) but I was just wondering if that could have a big impact on my diet.. I eat clean and frequent meals, but I am always drinking diet soda.

Aspartame in diet drinks need to be consumed in absurd amounts for poisoning to occur. Don't worry about diet drinks and the term ''clean'' eating is irrelavant with foods.

[ErikTheElectric]

Everything else sucks.

Just drink this OP.


Stay safe.