We all know by now that soda is one of the most evil things you can put in your body. Nasty chemicals, gut-fattening high fructose corn syrup, and a myriad of health problems caused by this carbonated cocktail are all ignored by those who don’t care about their health or body. And some folks are just plain misinformed.
Surprisingly, many people falsely believe that “diet” soda is in some way a good thing for losing body fat. In fact, I hear people all the time proudly state that they eat so healthy and only drink diet soda.
Let’s clear that up right now. There is NOTHING remotely healthy about drinking diet soda. It isn’t even hydrating or “thirst-quenching” as the makers always advertise. In fact, several studies show that dedicated diet soda drinkers got even FATTER than their regular soda drinking counterparts.
Here are some findings from an 8-year University of Texas study.
“What didn’t surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity. What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher.”
“There was a 41 percent increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day,” says the UT study.
Ok, as if we didn’t already know how bad regular soda was for us, now they’re showing us that diet soda makes us even fatter than the already bad stuff!
There are several reasons for this phenomenon.
The artificial sweeteners in diet sodas create a negative hormonal response in the body that increases fat storing hormone production and increases cravings for more sweets and refined carbohydrates in the time period after consuming the diet drink.
Another reason is that people may subconsciously think that because they are drinking a diet soda, that gives them more leeway to eat more of everything else, hence consuming more calories overall.
The bottom line is that if you’re serious about your health and body, soda of any kind (and artificial sweeteners in anything for that matter!) should be avoided, except for very rare occasions when you can’t avoid them. If you can’t avoid them, be sure to consume your diet soda with food to minimize the downside effects.
So what is a good alternative to diet soda?
The best alternative is pure water. Most of us don’t drink enough water in the first place, and consuming soft drinks in its place just makes matters worse. If you want a little flavor, add a squeeze of lemon or try some unsweetened iced tea.
You have plenty of options with teas - green, white, black, oolong, red… and we know about the benefits of the EGCG found in some teas. Be creative in making and blending different teas and you’ll enjoy it more. Plus, you get a greater array of anti-aging antioxidants.
If you feel the need for sweetness, stevia is a good, naturally non-caloric sweetener, or add a small amount of honey. Just a few drops will do, as honey is much sweeter than table sugar. Agave juice is another natural alternative that won’t add a lot of calories.
A lot of people are, and some stores are taking advantage by gouging prices for potassium iodide. WARNING: unless under the direct supervision of a doctor, do not take large doses of potassium iodide. There is a significant risk of iodine toxicity.
Just in case anyone actually needs another reason not to smoke, you know, in case cancer and death aren’t getting it for you: A study published in the British Medical Journal shows a correlation between smoking and premature grey hair. This was true for men and women alike, with men facing the additional likelihood of premature baldness. Add that to purse string lines around the lips, yellowing fingernails and teeth, premature aging of the skin and you’ve got one pretty picture!
Supplements of multivitamins and minerals may help reduce body weight and improve blood fat levels, according to results of a clinical trial in obese women.
