The Skinny on Diet Soda

Imagine a hot summer day and an ice cold soda… I bet you can almost feel the intense explosion you experience as the fizzy liquid hits your tongue stimulating your mouth and offering instant refreshment, energy and gratification. Millions of Americans would agree that there aren’t many things better, and are hooked on the effects that diet soda provides. These drinks are tasty, inexpensive and available everywhere, so what’s the problem?  Well, the ugly truth is that although diet sodas are typically sugar and calorie free, they are by no means free from health risks including:

• potential cancer risks
• negative effects on the liver, kidneys, and other organs
• weight gain
• stimulating cravings
• gastrointestinal problems
• developmental problems in children and fetuses
• headaches
• and too many more issues to list

Despite the fact that the ingredients in diet sodas have been linked to multiple health issues, as Americans we just cannot stay away. These drinks are heavily loaded with caffeine, and because they are sugar free and have little to no calories they are marketed towards health-conscious people, diabetics, athletes, and other people who want to lose weight, improve physical fitness, or reduce their sugar intake, and we are substituting drinking water for these drinks.

(It has been reported that as many as 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, mostly due to the fact that they are not drinking enough water daily.)

How About a Healthy Alternative?
At M’lis we spend a lot of time focusing on the importance of drinking ½ your body’s weight in ounces of water daily, but let’s punch it up a notch. When trying to kick the diet soda habit, try something with a cool fresh flavor and much better for you. Plan ahead by adding a few pieces of fruit to a pitcher of ice water; lemon, lime, watermelon, raspberry, strawberry, kiwi, cucumber – the possibilities are virtually unlimited. Allow the pitcher to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to get the maximum taste from the fruit.