Question About Diet Soda?

Okay, this may sound really stupid, but, I feel guilty drinking diet soda, even if it says it has zero calories. I always opt for  flavored water and I know water is so much better for you then any kind of soda, but is diet soda okay?/pretty much the same as flavored water? For some reason I just feel guilty drinking it?

Flavored water is pretty much the same as diet soda. I wouldn't feel guilty about it. I drink it all the time.

Maybe you're already familiar with the movie "Sweet Misery:A Poisoned World." If you haven't seen it, you might want to--or at least read about some of the nasty side effects of drinking fake sweeteners. And, yes, most flavored water is sweetened the same way as diet soda. So, next time you're craving a soda you may want to consider just drinking regular or none at all.

Coke Zero is sweetened w/ Splenda instead of Nutrasweet--it's supposed to be better because it comes from real sugar extract.  Whether it truly is or not, who knows....it hasn't been out as many years as Nutrasweet/Aspartame, but you could always try that if you're worried about artificial sweeteners!

a great alternative is those little packets from Crystal Light you can dump into a bottle of water.  They cost less (25c/bottle) if you have access to drinkable tap water, and they are like 5 cals/serving.  I, too, feel guilty drinking diet soda, which is why I drink these now, even with a few calories (10-20 a day).

when i'm running crosscountry, our coach tells us not to drink it at all. it decreases your lung capacity, among other things.

I never really liked Coke Zero, it doesn't have that "diet" flavor I love.

I get a really bad stomach ache from any artificial sweeteners, so I try to stay away from them altogether. :-\

I recently did an acidity lab in college, and belive it or not (true measurements tested) Diet coke came in at 1 step above battery acid.  Battery acid having a pH of 1, and Diet Coke measuring in at 2.  NutraSweet, Aspartame, Equal, & Sweet&Low are all on the most acidic side of the scale as well, which doesn't help.

 If your pH is too acidic, your body borrows minerals - such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium - from vital organs and bones to neutralize and remove the acid. 

Your normal pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5 throughout the day, and 6.0 was often commen from soda drinkers right when you wake up.  This is due to the acidity of carbon, which makes the bubbles in ANY carbonated beverage (even perrier, carbonated naturally).

Most people who suffer from unbalanced pH are acidic. This condition forces the body to borrow minerals -- including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium -- from vital organs and bones to buffer (neutralize) the acid and safely remove it from the body. Because of this strain, the body can suffer severe and prolonged damage due to high acidity -- a condition that may go undetected for years.

Even mild acidosis can cause such problems as:

• Cardiovascular damage, including the constriction of blood vessels and the reduction of oxygen.
• Weight gain, obesity and diabetes.
• Bladder and kidney conditions, including kidney stones.
• Immune deficiency.
• Acceleration of free radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations.
• Premature aging.
• Weak, brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs.
• Joint pain, aching muscles and lactic acid buildup.
• Low energy and chronic fatigue.

I would recommend reading this article:

http://www.reynoldsoffice.com/ph.htm

Hope this helps some,  Anthony V.