Diet Soft Drinks

One of the biggest questions coming out of this 8 week challenge so far is why diet soft drinks are not included in the diet when they are a great treat but so low on calories. So, should you drink diet soft drinks or not? This subject comes up time and time again and to be honest is it extremely hard to answer because there is  no clear cut answer that applies to everyone. As is often the case, the “right” choice isn’t dictated by the science alone. Instead, it’s dependent on what makes the most sense for you, the individual. For example if you are someone that drinks soft drink on a regular basis it might be a great step in reducing your daily calorie intake or even better a step in the right direction to losing soft drinks all together. Which in my opinion is probably best! Experts who recommend cutting out diet soda are essentially following the precautionary principle. Until something is proven without a doubt to being deemed safe it’s better to assume it isn’t. I delved quite deep into this subject and there are arguments for both sides. So in this case I think we have to look at this question: what is best for you? Is there any reason to be putting a bunch of chemicals into your body that have no nutritional benefit? Here is an explanation of what happens after drinking diet soft drink. This information is from a study I read on https://www.mindfood.com/ MiNDFOOD MiNDFOOD is the leading site for Smart Thinking Content. Featuring delicious recipes, health tips, latest community news, puzzles, how to videos, destination guides and beauty and style advice. www.mindfood.com First 10 minutes: Your taste-buds are deceived and your teeth are attacked. The high level of phosphoric acid attacks the enamel on your teeth while the artificial sweetener, aspartame, hits your system and fires up your body’s response to sugar. Many other foods and drinks around the world use this sugar substitute, such as chewing gums and breakfast cereals. 20 Minutes after consuming: your body may switch on fat storing mode. Don’t be deceived by the “no sugar” claims, artificial sweeteners can trigger the exact same insulin responses as sugar does, sending your body into fat-storing mode. This is due to artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols interfering negatively with our natural gut bacteria, compromising our immune system and unbalancing the digestive system (according to Amanda Payne of Switzerland’s Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health). 40 minutes after: You crave more. The combination of caffeine and aspartame creates a short burst of adrenaline. Excitotoxins are then released which act to overstimulate your brain and neuron receptors. According to a study published in ‘The Scientist’ cravings for more soft drink are explained by the release of two neurotransmitters in the brain, dopamine and glutamate. Caffeine and aspartame increases dopamine levels as shown in various studies. 60 minutes after: The nutrient-less soda makes you hungry and thirsty for more. Your cravings aren’t going to stop once you’ve finished your can or bottle of soft drink. Your appetite for sweets has been turned on and you are more likely to turn to other sugary foods or beverages. So my conclusion, of course  you can have everything in moderation. But do we really need to be consuming a beverage that is realistically more of a cocktail of chemicals, over something else? If you consume a lot of soft drink use the diet alternatives as a tool to wean yourself off soft drinks all together!!