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Diet Soda And Diabetes: Is It A Safe Option?

By socialpanga +2 more

With a Diabetes diagnosis, the noble doctor is kind enough to rattle off a list of foods (mostly your favourites) that you must not indulge in anymore. It can be a task trying to remember what all you can have after he is done. Amongst the list, just as quickly as you gulp it down, soda or colas often manage to slide off this insanely long list of foods. The next day at the vending machine/canteen, you find yourself wondering, can I at least have some diet soda?

Diabetes is a disease wherein the blood sugar levels rise rapidly, and the body is unable to manage the high sugar levels. This is because either the body does not produce the hormone insulin, or the body fails to respond to the insulin produced by the body. In either case, blood sugar levels are elevated and can cause damage to the heart, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.

Diet soda and diabetes

It is essential for people with Diabetes to manage their sugar levels by taking their prescribed medications, exercising regularly, keeping weight in check, and monitoring their food intake.

From my knowledge, diabetes is a condition that is exacerbated by obesity. An essential first step in coping with type 2 diabetes is maintaining a healthy weight. Researchers have found that people who regularly consume diet soda are at a 4 times greater risk of gaining weight than those who avoid any carbonated drinks. I strongly recommend everyone avoid the consumption of all types of carbonated drinks, including diet soda.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

Diet Sodas vs Regular Sodas

Diet Sodas, unlike regular sodas, are not loaded with sugar that causes a sudden spike in blood sugar levels (that’s the good part). However, they are charged with artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame and have zero nutritional value (that’s the truth).

Both these sweeteners are approved by the U.S. FDA and are considered non-toxic. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also lists diet soda as a safe alternative to other non-diet drinks.

However, some studies have concluded that both diet and regular sodas are associated with an increased risk of developing type II diabetes. It seems that both regular sugar and artificial sweeteners are equally bad. Diet sodas may also be implicated with gaining weight and possibly causing a metabolic disorder.

If you are under the assumption that diet coke is a safe option as it has none to perhaps fewer calories, you may be in for a surprise! According to a recent study, persons who regularly consumed diet coke had a 67 per cent higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. In my opinion, diet coke is probably not the best choice for persons wanting to control or avoid type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Is it really safe?

However, recent studies on the effect of diet soda on diabetes have been contradictory and confusing. Diet sodas have no nutritional value and contain harmful additives. They stimulate hunger leading to increased food intake and encourage binge eating that messes up blood sugar levels. Studies show that diet soda drinkers are at a 62% higher risk of developing diabetes than regular soda drinkers. This is because diet soda and the other factors that increase the risk of diabetes are almost always seen together. Though diet soda is considered safe for people with diabetes, it is important to note that any soda- diet or not; is an unhealthy choice of beverage. Alternatives such as milk, unsweetened tea – both green and black, 100% fruit juices, unsweetened and unflavored sparkling water, and fruit infused water provide a wide array of healthier choices.

Additionally, weight gain was seen in participants of a long term study even if they only chose diet sodas. People who drank it every day seemed to have much higher increases in their waistline over time. The wide range of artificial sweeteners used for these sodas have multiple risks such as increased blood sugar (sucralose), increased BMI (aspartame), diarrhoea (sorbitol) and more. So, is diet soda bad for you? The answer is most likely yes, especially if you already have issues with weight and diabetes.

It is recommended that diet soda as an occasional beverage choice may be okay for people with diabetes but should not be a part of their regular diet.

PharmEasy Recommends: Everherb Diabetic Care Juice

Want to manage your diabetes effectively? Book your free diabetes consultation from our experts!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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