Switching from regular sodas to zero-calorie options might seem like a healthier choice, but it’s not. Not only do these choices fail to benefit your health, but they may also contribute to an increase in waist size. A study revealed that regular consumption of diet sodas over nine years caused study participants to accumulate three times more body fat than those who didn’t. Even occasional consumption of diet sodas led to 1.8 times the amount of body fat. Increased accumulation of body fat in the midsection has been linked to cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and inflammation.
Soda’s impact on mental health
Sodas, whether diet or not, can have a detrimental impact on your health. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found that consuming over two cans of soda daily may increase the chances of suffering from depression and anxiety by as much as three times compared to those who don’t drink sodas at all.
Regular sodas generally contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS affects your health in numerous ways, including blocking the assimilation of calcium, causing cancer in test animals and predisposing humans to cancer, bypassing the pancreas as a synthetic sugar (leading to diabetes), and causing obesity due to its highly addictive nature.
The dangers of zero-calorie sweeteners
Though diet drinks don’t typically contain HFCS, they are far from healthy. Zero-calorie sweeteners make these beverages up to 600 times sweeter than regular sugar. Research published in the journal Nature discovered that artificial sugars increase people’s susceptibility to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, two precursors to diabetes.
Numerous artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), acesulfame K, and Advantame have been associated with various chronic illnesses and disorders, including tumors, inflammation, migraines, and nervous system disorders.
Aspartame, in particular, has been identified as a neurotoxin. Inside the body, this substance breaks down into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. When methanol’s temperature exceeds 86 degrees Fahrenheit, it converts into formaldehyde. This is concerning, considering that the human body’s resting temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoiding soft drinks altogether
The best course of action for your overall health is to avoid soft drinks altogether. Unfortunately, many people today consume soft drinks exclusively, leading to negative health consequences. If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with excessive soda consumption, try cutting them out of your diet completely or drastically reducing your intake.
Instead, focus on incorporating more water into your daily routine, which keeps your body hydrated much better than soda without negatively impacting your health. Herbal teas and natural fruit juices can also be good alternatives as they typically contain fewer additives and may provide additional health benefits.
Additionally, you should focus on getting exercise and maintaining a balanced diet to promote optimal health. By cutting out sodas and focusing on healthier options, you’ll likely see improvements in your energy levels and overall well-being.
In conclusion, while zero-calorie sodas might seem like a smarter beverage choice than their full-calorie counterparts, they are far from beneficial to your health. Research has shown that these diet options can contribute not only to increased body fat but also increase the risk of depression, anxiety, migraines, tumors, inflammation, and even diabetes. It’s best to avoid soft drinks altogether in favor of healthier alternatives like water, herbal teas, and natural fruit juices.
