The Dangers of Diet Coke

Many of us are under the impression that the fewer calories a food or beverage has, the healthier it is bound to be. The popularity of Diet Coke is proof of this misconception. 

Diet Coke contains the sweetener aspartame, which may not mean anything to the average consumer. However, aspartame is one of the most controversial artificial sweeteners. It has not only been linked to several forms of cancer, but also has been connected to increased risks of strokes and heart attacks. 

Not every person who drinks Diet Coke will be affected, but there are a variety of additional symptoms that are more common for those who drink it, both occasionally and religiously. Besides bloating and increased blood sugar levels, researchers have found that Diet Coke actually increases the waist size of those who consume about two cans a day or more. The aspartame in Diet Coke can also cause an increase in appetite. It raises blood sugar levels and lowers insulin levels, which in many cases leads to the diagnosis of diabetes.

Appetite and waistline increase are both more common in people who drink Diet Coke than regular Coke. Does this mean that regular Coke is healthier for your body than Diet Coke? There has been plenty of speculation regarding this question. Though there is no definite answer, it is known that the aspartame in Diet Coke does dull taste buds and cause high-sugar cravings to compensate for the lack of calories in the beverage that are accompanied with the unusually sweet taste. I would say in response to that question, the answer is neither is healthy for your body in any way. Diet Coke contains aspartame while Coke contains a large amount of sugar. 

If only consumers realized that the zero calories in Diet Coke do not translate to “weight loss.”  In fact, Diet Coke actually impedes weight loss. This drink is definitely undeserving of the title “diet” and should be avoided.