diet soda

[ZGzaZ]

Can someone explain to me how diet soda is bad? I dont drink any soda, but Im just trying to learn....I dont see how it would be possible to gain weight with something that is 0 calories, but someone let me know whats up.

 

[mostly_a_lurker]

i think it's the Aspartame that's bad.

 

[ZGzaZ]

how?

 

[ZGzaZ]

what affect does aspartame have on the body? I always assumed that it was okay while trying to drop bodyfat, because of the calorie content....

 

[anthrax]

aspartame is safe

Carbonation is not that good

 

[ZGzaZ]

Im not trying to be an ass, just to trying to learn...but why is carbonation bad?

 

[bran987]

I just used the search function to find stuff like this:

Post about diet soda

Nother post bout soda and bubbles

 

[juve]

Carbonated and sweetened foods alter pH levels in the body quite drastically yielding acidic environment which bears a negative effect on endurance and digestion (for some people)

 

[SoreArms]

Check out this thread

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=285909&highlight=aspartame+bad

Sawastea, second post, provided several links with info on aspartame.

 

[the guy on the couch]

Aspartame, when broken down produces, supposedly, methanol (toxic substance). However, a Ph.D. chemist (who incidentally was my old organic chemistry prof) said that he thinks the whole thing is bullshit. He said it's ludicrous. I tend to believe him seeing as how people consume 10+ diet sodas a day and are still alive (and not blind from the methanol biproduct).

Aside from that, caffeine, usually present in modest quantites in diet sodas, is a diuretic, meaning it will dehydrate you. As a general rule I stick with diet sodas that are caffeine free (i.e.- diet caffeine coke, diet A&W root beer, diet rite, etc.)

Finally, there is discussion over the reflex caused in response to the taste of something sweet, known as "cephalic phase response". The bottom line is this: you taste something sweet, your body prepares for an influx of simple carbohydrates and ceases production of glucose from starches and proteins. When the body doesn't get the simple carbohydrates (diet sodas have 0 calories) you become hungry.

So... bottom line: I wouldn't drink more than one or two a day, caffeine free, and drink them during a meal if at all possible.

Hope this helps.

 

[SoreArms]

Finally, there is discussion over the reflex caused in response to the taste of something sweet, known as "cephalic phase response". The bottom line is this: you taste something sweet, your body prepares for an influx of simple carbohydrates and ceases production of glucose from starches and proteins. When the body doesn't get the simple carbohydrates (diet sodas have 0 calories) you become hungry.

I think this has truth behind it, but there is nothing wrong with caffeine.

 

[the guy on the couch]

Yes, but the fact that it is a diuretic is something that shouldn't be ignored, especially by the majority of America that is chronically dehydrated.

However, I'm suspecting that people here get their daily dosage of H20 (and some)

 

[PancakeFiend]

take some baking soda w/your postworkout shake, supplement w/some calcium, drink your water and everything should work out

 

[anthrax]

Yes, but the fact that it is a diuretic is something that shouldn't be ignored, especially by the majority of America that is chronically dehydrated.

However, I'm suspecting that people here get their daily dosage of H20 (and some)

Expresso = lots of caffeine + little water = dehydration = needs to take extra water

Diet soda = average caffeine + lots of water = low to mild dehydration

 

[ProtienFiend]

carbonation interferes with protein absorbtion,
some negative things are associated with citric acid,
also aspartame is supposed to pass through the body unchanged... turns out in intense heat, aspartame actually degrades into its metabolite Formaldehyde and there actually has been various poisonings associated with it in the US.

 

[onerepmaximum]

I drink the hell out of diet soda. Seems to help take the place of food when I'm on a diet. It hasn't really affected my ability to lose fat or retain muscle, but I'll cut them out when I'm worried about my sodium intake.

 

[the guy on the couch]

...and there actually has been various poisonings associated with it in the US.

Please let me know where you got that information from. I am very curious.

 

[anthrax]

I have alreeady replied 10,000 times

Only people who suffer a rare genetic disease called Phenylketonuria (PKU) shoud not take aspartame

That is approximately one in 10,000 people

No big deal

 

[JKurz1]

screw it..........I toss in some diet pop or carb. beverage when I make my late night protein shake...kinda like a float.......no ill effects....+ I drink carb. H20 (flavored, zero cal), daily.......all good.

 

[ProtienFiend]

Please let me know where you got that information from. I am very curious.

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/

http://www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/aspartame.shtml

 

[ProtienFiend]

they talk about poisonings, DNA mutation and cancer....

 

[anthrax]

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/

http://www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/aspartame.shtml

These are no serious sources of scientific info

 

[juve]

^^obviously something with the words 'holistic' or 'ethical' is an invalid reference
duh...

 

[anthrax]

^^obviously something with the words 'holistic' or 'ethical' is an invalid reference
duh...

there is a difference between a personal web site (w/o references) and peer reviewed magazines (JAMA, Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine)

 

[juve]

are you trying to reiterate what I said?

 

[anthrax]

are you trying to reiterate what I said?

I am not sure wheter you were serious or not

Sorry If I misinterpreted you

 

[ProtienFiend]

These are no serious sources of scientific info

true... but thats part of the problem with aspartame

 

[onerepmaximum]

I heard all that I needed to hear when Mr X said that it promotes muscle catabolism. I stress about that enough as it is on a low cal diet. I don't need that thought in the back of my head.