Diet Soda - Friend or Foe?
For many folks drinking a diet drink seems to be the best compromise when attempting to lose weight. The rational is often that a diet drink has no calories or fat so it's a "safe" option. Now, if this is your beverage of choice I encourage you take a look at what’s really happening under the cap (or pull tab) of this beverage.
For many individuals the combination of the caffeine/aspartame (NutraSweet) mixture can almost deliver a drug high. The caffeine acts as a stimulant, while the aspartame affects the brains internal reward pathways.
With the combination of caffeine and aspartame this seemingly friendly cocktail can deliver a formulation to the system that feels like rocket fuel for the brain. If this surge of energy is what you are looking for to get you going in the morning or through a mid afternoon slump, read on!
There are reports of mild depression following the use of aspartame. If you enjoy this beverage in the morning you may find that by the latter part of the day the aspartame by products leave you mildly anxious and even depressed. The Aspartame Consumer Safety network, which is a non-profit consumer group, has concluded that aspartame causes a blockage in the formation of serotonin in the brain.
So, why is serotonin important and what is it? The original meaning of the word serotonin is a serum that gives tone. It refers to the serotonergic action outside of the central nervous system - causing contraction of smooth muscle. Yet, within the central nervous system it is involved in functions such as arousal, thermoregulation, mood, appetite, sleep and pain regulatory systems. Serotonin's effects are normally inhibitory. It diminishes appetite, sexual behavior and suppresses pain perception. Its absence has been correlated with an increase of aggressive behavior.
According to the Aspartame Consumer group “Many people who don’t make enough serotonin from their food are more susceptible to insomnia, depression, and/or PMS. If these genetically deficient people are also swallowing aspartame, they will more readily have headaches, insomnia, depression, hostility, anxiety and a host of other negative symptoms.”
If your desire is to lose weight you may be wodering if this drink can help you with this goal. According to Dr Robin Kanarek of Tufts “Products containing artificial sweeteners may prompt people to eat more than if they never even consumed a sweetened product to begin with.” Compared to water, drinks containing aspartame increased feelings of hunger and the desire to eat and reduced feelings of fullness.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest states that “Obesity has skyrocketed along with the use of aspartame. There’s little evidence that drinking aspartame-contained beverage in any way helps you lose weight.”
So there you have it diet soda fans. You make the choice as to how you want to feel and what to drink yet the facts are in.
If weight loss is (or isn't) what you are striving for, diet drinks are not the answer. However I'm not here to be your parent scolding you for your choices. You're an adult so you choose. I just hope you choose
to be healthy!
Be well!
Wind
