We’ve all been hearing mixed health reviews about diet soda for years. In the past, if you were looking to lose weight, health advocates would always tell you to switch from regular soda to diet soda—which makes sense from a calorie standpoint. A large soft drink from a fast food restaurant can boast upwards of 500 calories, and that’s before you add in the curly fries and Big Montana. When choosing between a zero calorie diet soda and a couple hundred calorie regular soda, the diet soda seems like the smarter option. But unfortunately, there’s more to the story than just calories.
Why You Shouldn’t Drink Diet Soda
Recent studies suggest that diet soda might make you eat more. Why? Because it causes a blood sugar spike that may inhibit the signal in your body that tells you when you’re full. Here are some more potential diet soda drawbacks:
- Diet soda can cause acne. Diet soda is highly acidic, which can lower your pH levels and mess with your skin.
- It can cause you to gain weight. Studies show that diet soda drinkers gain more weight than non-drinkers. Additional studies show that the aspartame in diet soda triggers appetite.
- Weight gain caused from diet soda can lead to other health risks. These risks include diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more.
- It’s harmful to your kidneys. Diet soda drinkers face the risk of kidney decline more so than regular soda drinkers. Research shows that diet sweeteners are probably responsible.
- It’s been linked to cancer. While the Food and Drug Administration currently recognizes aspartame as safe for consumption, the Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations are more wary. Multiple studies show that the aspartame in diet soda is linked to increased cancer risks.
Alternatives to Diet Soda
You’re probably not surprised to learn that our favorite alternative to diet soda is water. Here are some advantages of drinking water:
- Water helps you lose weight. It reduces hunger and has zero calories. Additionally, drinking cold water can help boost your metabolism, as your body works to warm it up.
- Water is good for your skin. Water improves your skin’s elasticity. It is one of the best ways to keep your skin moisturized, especially combined with applying good lotion and drinking less tea and soda, which dehydrate you.
- Water is good for muscle and joint protection. Water provides lubrication for your muscles and joints. Drinking water before and during exercise can also help in reducing the risk of muscle cramping and fatigue.
- Water is good for your kidneys. Dehydration can make you more likely to develop kidney stones. Consistently drinking water helps your kidneys rid your body of toxins.
Schedule Home Water Delivery or Office Water Delivery
Remember that the amount of water you should drink each day depends on several factors. These include your size, the climate you live in and your personal level of activity. One of the easiest ways to improve your hydration is through home water delivery or office water delivery services. If you live in the Tampa, FL or surrounding areas, contact Water Boy today for home water delivery and office water delivery services.