Hello, I am Ty Mason of thediabetescouncil.com, researcher, writer and I have type 2 diabetes.
Today I want to talk about diet soda and diabetes.
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I want to say right up front that there is a divide among many experts concerning diet
soda and diabetes.
Now I am not an expert but I do have an opinion.
The question I received was why diet soda is bad for diabetes.
I personally don’t believe that it is.
However, I am going to give you research from both sides of the issue and let you decided
whether or not you should drink diet soda.
I truly feel the reason most people have an aversion to diet drinks is that at one time,
there was much debate over the safety of artificial sweeteners.
Many feared that these sweeteners caused certain types of cancer.
Studies performed in the 1970s suggested that the artificial sweetener saccharin was linked
to bladder cancer.
Since that time, however, saccharin has been deemed safe.
Both the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider
the sweetener nontoxic.
Aspartame, another common yet controversial sweetener, has also gained clearance for use
as a sugar replacement.
The FDA regulates artificial sweeteners as food additives.
It reviews and approves artificial sweeteners before they can be sold.
Some foods are “generally recognized as safe” and don’t require FDA approval to
be sold.
However, aspartame and saccharin, commonly found in diet sodas, are both FDA reviewed
and approved.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) lists diet sodas among the drinks considered safe.
The ADA recommends them as an alternative to non-diet varieties.
While diet soft drinks are safe, they are far from nutritious.
In addition to diet soda, the ADA recommends water, unsweetened iced or hot tea, and sparkling
or infused water.
Even milk and 100 percent fruit juices, although they contain carbohydrates, can be wise choices
when you consider the nutrients they provide.
Be sure to limit fruit juices due to their high natural sugar content.
Carbonated colas also pose some risk.
A 2000 study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine investigated the risks
of colas in youth.
The study found that drinking carbonated beverages was strongly associated with bone fractures
in teenage girls.
Although the same was not shown for boys, the study did raise concerns about long-term
negative impacts of carbonated colas.
Diet sodas may also create issues specifically for people with diabetes.
A study published in Nature showed that, in mice, artificial sweeteners can lead to a
spike in insulin.
In my research here is what I have found are the real pros and cons of drinking diet sodas:
Pros Of Drinking Diet Soda With Diabetes Include It contains fewer carbohydrates than regular
soda.
It curbs the sugar craving without a sugar overload.
You're consuming far fewer calories.
Cons Of Drinking Diet Soda With Diabetes Include You’re consuming calories but gaining no
nutritional benefit.
It’s full of unhealthy additives.
Long-term diet soda drinking is still associated with weight gain and other health risks.
Research shows an increased risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome with both diet soda
and regular soda intake.
There really is not consensus out there in regards to the effects of diet soda on your
diabetes.
One study says it will harm you and another study comes right along and says it is completely
safe.
In my opinion, the choice is up to you.
I would not make diet soda my main intake of fluids in a day, however, a couple of cans
won’t kill you either.
Just be smart, make an informed choice and live your life.
You have to look in the mirror everyday.
Don’t forget to get my new ebook and please, subscribe to our channel for many more videos
like this one in the future.
Thanks for watching.
I am Ty Mason.