Diet soda is linked to health problems
DEAR DOCTOR: I feel better when I eat less sugar. Because I love having a soda with my snacks and meals, I drink a few diet colas every day. Is it true that diet sodas can increase the risk of developing diabetes?
DEAR READER: Recent studies show a link between the regular consumption of diet soda and a whole host of unpleasant consequences. Increased risk of certain types of diabetes is among them.
In a recent Swedish study that analyzed the health outcomes of 2,800 adults, it was found that participants who drank slightly less than 1 cup of soda per day more than doubled their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Up that intake to a liter of soda per day, and the likelihood of developing the disease grew tenfold.
I t didn’t matter whether participants were drinking sugared sodas or ones that were artificially sweetened. Their increased risk of diabetes was the same. This echoed the results of several other studies. Additional research has found evidence that certain artificial sweeteners contribute to glucose intolerance and weight gain.
One school of thought is that while artificial sweeteners trick the taste buds, they don’t fool the satiety centers in the brain. As a result, rather
than slaking the craving for something sweet, they actually stimulate appetite and cravings. Another line of inquiry is whether artificial sweeteners may adversely affect the beneficial microbes in the gut and thus cause glucose intolerance.
If any of this leads you to consider changes in your soda intake, a couple of suggestions: First, don’t switch to fruit juice, which is also heavy in sugar. Instead, think fizzy water. Patients who say they are addicted to diet sodas love not just the sweetness but also the physical sensation of the carbonated bubbles.
Try switching to sparkling water. You can spike it with a squeeze of citrus, a few slices of cucumber or even crushed herbs. Various brands have different tastes and even different-size bubbles. Shop around, find a few brands that you like and, to increase your chance of success, make the switch gradually.
Eve Glazier, M.D., MBA, is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health.
Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90095.