Diet soda drinkers who think their artificially sweetened soft drinks are a healthy alternative to sugar sweetened beverages are in for a shock. Research revealed at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2011 suggests that people who drink diet soda face a 61% higher risk of stroke and heart attacks than people who don’t drink soda.
Hannah Gardener, Sc.D., lead author of the research, referred to as the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS), warns that “diet soda may not be the optimal substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages”. She cautions that more studies are needed to confirm the results of NOMAS.
The study began in 1993 to examine stroke incidence and risk factors in a large, multi-ethnic population. The NOMAS study has 3,298 participants over 40 years old (average age 69), and continues to this day. Researchers are not clear about why diet soda may carry an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. A 2006 study suggests that diet soft drinks can cause a person to develop a “sweet tooth” which may encourage people to eat unhealthy foods.
Diet Soda Linked to Weight Gain and Acidity
The acidic pH of diet soda and the dehydrating effects of caffeine have been blamed by some for contributing to obesity and illnesses. Diet Coke® has a pH of 2.97, which is 10,000 times more acidic than water with a neutral 7 pH level. An eight-year study of 1,550 participants conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, revealed that diet soda drinkers of had a greater risk of gaining weight than drinkers of regular soft drinks.
Alkaline water a healthy alternative to diet soda
Ionized alkaline mineral water is rapidly becoming the popular alternative for health-conscious consumers concerned about diet soda. High quality systems like Life Ionizers can produce alkaline water with an 11+ pH.
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Has the FDA evaluated the risks of drinking diet soda?
Not yet. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.
Reference:
Elkind, Mitchell, Bernadette Albaba, Ralph Sacco, and et al. “Northern Manhattan Study.” . Columbia University | Division of Stroke and Critical Care. Web. 9 Jul 2013. <http://columbianomas.org/study.html>.
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