3 Reasons to Quit Drinking Diet Soda
By Genevieve Cunningham
Soda is so good. It’s sweet and satisfying and even provides a little pick me up for its drinkers. But we all know that it’s not the healthiest drink out there either. Cue the diet sodas. Many make the switch from regular to diet sodas in order to get on a healthier path. But as it turns out, diet sodas may not be all they’re cracked up to be. Take a look at these three reasons to quit drinking diet soda and go for something entirely different instead.
Weight Loss is in the Mind
Weight loss begins in the mind. It’s a decision, and one that has to be made and kept continuously. Research actually shows that those who consume diet sodas have an increased risk of being overweight. Though the research doesn’t show exactly why this occurs, the researchers have a guess. It’s thought that diet soda drinkers know they’re not consuming any calories in their drink of choice, and so they consciously or subconsciously believe it’s OK to get these calories elsewhere … like in their food. If you’re trying to break a soda habit, the better choice is to quit all soda rather than to switch to diet.
Artificial Sweeteners Aren’t All Good
Once upon a time (many years ago!), it was thought that drinking artificial sweeteners was far superior to plain old sugar. But research has come a long way! It has now come to light that these artificial sweeteners may not be any better, and in some cases, may even be worse. Artificial sweeteners may bring side effects such as excessive hunger, increased risk of certain cancers, and imbalanced hormones. Unless you’re OK with these problems, it might be best to stay away from the fake sugar.
It Has Zero Nutritional Value
It’s true that you’re no longer drinking all of your calories, but you’re still filling your stomach with something that brings zero good to the body. And in many cases, these diet drinks are taking the place of something much more important … water. If you’re going for zero calories, why not stick with water, which is necessary for good health anyway? If you must have a little flavor or some bubbles, try some lemon or lime juice with sparkling water.
If you are a current diet soda drinker, don’t beat yourself up. It’s not the worst thing in the world, and you’ve made a step in the right direction. But it might be time to give up the soda completely, and these potential negative side effects prove it. Do your best to quit the fizzy drinks altogether, and stick with water instead.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Ventura, Calif.