Two weeks ago my clients and I challenged ourselves to Not eat any sugar, including…
Is Diet Coke making you fat?
Is Diet Coke making you fat?
Maybe. And if you are a regular consumer of Diet Coke or any other artificial sweetener, you’ll want to know what it’s doing to you
Despite its calorie-free allure, Diet Coke /Pepsi Zero / Diet Snapple/Crystal Lite, etc.come with their own set of health concerns in addition to increasing your body fat.
One of the primary culprits behind the negative health effects of “diet” products is the presence of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucrolose. These zero-calorie additives may seem like a dream come true for those watching their weight, but research suggests they may do more harm than good.
- Disrupting Metabolism:
Artificial sweeteners found in Diet Coke, etc. can interfere with the body’s natural metabolic processes. Studies have shown that these sweeteners can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria, leading to impaired glucose metabolism and decreased insulin sensitivity, i.e. insulin resistance. These effects can contribute to weight gain and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome (a combination of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance or elevated blood sugar)
2.Increased Cravings and Overeating:
Despite having no calories, the intense sweetness of artificial sweeteners in Diet Coke can trigger cravings for hyper-palatable sugary foods. Regular consumption of Diet Coke has been associated with a heightened desire for sweet and calorie-dense foods, leading to overeating and weight gain over time. Additionally, artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s ability to regulate hunger and satiety signals, further exacerbating the risk of overconsumption.
3.Altered Reward Pathways:
Studies have shown that the consumption of artificial sweeteners, such as those found in Diet Coke, can disrupt the brain’s reward pathways, leading to an increased preference for sweet tastes. This alteration in taste preferences may drive individuals to seek out more sugary foods, contributing to weight gain and an unhealthy dietary pattern.
What is not mentioned in any of the article I read about diet soda or artificial sweeteners was the addiction to it. Yes, articles say “disrupt the brains reward center” and so on, but the word addiction was never used. However, a number of people have told me how they feel addicted to it and when they stop drinking it, they get headaches and nausea.
If you feel this way, you are not alone and I recognize that it is hard to stop the habit. Real sugar is the same.
Make sure you get enough sleep, eat pre and probiotic foods, be well hydrated and have a plan in place when you are attempting to discontinue use of Diet Coke/Snapple/Pepsi/Crystal Lite.
If you need help with that plan, feel free to reply back and I’ll help out!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/…
