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Are diet soda drinks making you sick? These soft drinks that come with the big tag of zero calories and no sugar can have many potential side effects.

Diet soda is trending a lot these days, many soft drink brands are launching diet soda. It has become a favorite of fitness freaks. But do you all know what effect it can have on health? To understand the effect of these soft drinks that come with the big tag of zero calories and no sugar, Health Shots spoke to ‘Dietician Vanshika Bhardwaj – Senior Dietician, Maringo Asia Hospital’. So let’s know from the expert, how zero calories diet soda actually affects health (effect of diet soda drinks).

Know what the experts say about this

According to Vanshika Bhardwaj, “Diet soda is low in calories and is sugar-free. For this reason, diet soda is often promoted as a healthier alternative to regular soda. However, its health benefits have been debated. Diet soda is a popular choice for people with diabetes or those trying to cut calories. It is believed that it can help with weight management and blood sugar regulation. It does not increase the risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, or tooth decay like traditional sodas do, as they do not contain sugar.”

“In contrast, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are examples of artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas. Regulatory bodies generally consider artificial sweeteners to be safe, however, there are several studies, including one published by the National Library of Medicine, that indicate they may affect the way we regulate appetite, resulting in increased sugar cravings.”

“Excessive consumption of soda drinks can lead to long-term health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and heart disease. Following a routine that includes consuming diet soda or other sweetened liquids can have adverse effects. If you want to improve your general health or your hydration levels, limit your intake of soda (effect of diet soda drinks).”

Know the possible side effects of consuming excessive amounts of diet soda (effect of diet soda drinks)

It has a negative effect on intestinal health

Research published by the National Library suggests that artificial sweeteners found in diet soda may negatively impact your gut microbiome, which is the community of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. The gut microbiome plays an important role in many aspects of health, including immune function, nutrient absorption, heart health, and more.

destroys tooth enamel

Diet soda doesn’t have as much sugar as regular soda, but it is highly acidic. If you’re drinking too much of it on a regular basis, it can seriously affect your smile. A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that regular and diet soda significantly affected the roughness of tooth enamel surfaces, indicating that both can contribute to tooth erosion.

May reduce bone density

According to Pub Med Central, diet soda contains several compounds that may negatively affect bone health. These compounds include caffeine and phosphoric acid. Studies have shown that in women, drinking both regular and diet soda decreases bone mineral density, a condition that increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

May be linked to type 2 diabetes

Even though diet soda has no calories or carbs, some research has found that it is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine on more than 2,000 men showed that regularly drinking diet soda increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Similarly, a study of 61,400 women showed that regular consumption of artificial sweeteners was associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In another study, people with type 2 diabetes who used artificial sweeteners were more likely to have insulin resistance.