Diet Soda-aka-Diet Poison

So, I’ve had some interesting conversations with some people lately about life, disease, and death. Some of my conversations have gone something like this-Question: “Why do you think so many people have cancer these days?”. Answers: “I think we are being poisoned by our food”.”I believe its in our water.” “I believe its chemicals we are exposed to.” Have you taken the time to sit down and actually think about this subject?  Hmmm…after some thoughts and some studying, I decided that I would write about some of these ideas and let you know where I’m coming from. Afterall, I consider myself a great trainer but even though I try to lead by example, I’m not perfect. In fact, I’m far from it. Even though we are smart it doesn’t always mean we make the right choices all the time…right?! So, in that regard, I’ve promised my clients that this blog will be about my thoughts regarding soda specifically diet soda. Soooo, here goes- I am a trainer who on occasion is known to drink a diet soda. I specifically pick my poison (no pun intended-haha) when I go to the movies. This is the one time where I give myself a bit of a hall pass on my health. Like you, when I’m enjoying junk food I don’t think of the consequences. I have my special combo: small diet, large popcorn (I share) and either cheese (yes, cheese) and/or sour patch kids. Weird? Maybe. It’s my thing. It’s like a party in my mouth as I’m enjoying a good flick. Of course, when I ‘partake’ I consider it my ‘cheat meal.’  Now, luckily for my body, I don’t get to go to the movies as often as I like. Here’s the thing-a growing number of studies link the consumption of diet soda to weight gain, higher BMI and a bunch of other health problems. Greattttttt. We all probably know that…right? Not quite enough to cut it out because we workout and eat clean otherwise…right?  Well,  here’s some more super news. According to Noelle Larson, MD, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, diet soda leaches calcium from our bodies. Over the course of two days, Larson had 20 healthy Young women drink 24 ounces of diet soda while the control group drank only water. After three hours , Larson analyzed the women’s’ urine: The diet soda group lost on average 6.85 milligrams more calcium and 41 milligrams more phosphorous than the water control group. Ok. Super-just super. Diet pop sucks the calcium and phosphorus out of our bones. If that’s not enough to make us stop here’s some more news. Aspartame is horrible for us. HORRIBLE! It causes headaches, mood swings, dizziness, and memory loss and guess what? It’s in diet soda. If you think that’s bad, Sharon Fowler, MPH, a researcher at the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio, found some real danger long-term effects of drinking the artificial sugar substitute. Studies have linked high intake of aspartame to developing lymphoma, leukemia, cancerous tumors of the liver and peripheral nerves and nerve cell death within the brain.  Huh? To me-it sounds like diet soda causes cancer and potentially alzheimers. Cancer? Alzheimers? Really? Is that sucky or what?! Last but not least lets chat about metabolic syndrome. According to studies, drinking diet soda increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 34 percent. Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms that includes extra weight around the midsection, elevated insulin levels, and increased blood pressure. In other words, if you drink diet soda you are at a greater risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses. 34 percent people–that’s a high percentage. I think about child obesity all the time and these kids who have lived on soda all of their lives.  I have an issue with this.  I’m done-I need to set a better example.  I would’ve been done a long time ago but since I am a believer in ‘moderation’ I still allowed it ‘once in a while.’  Heck,  I even kind of enjoyed the ‘fizz’ with the sour patch kids. No more!  It’s time we’ve had enough!   I need to start checking any flavored waters I’m drinking as well.  No more aspartame.  Alright, alright–here’s the scoop–next time I go to the movies, I need to find a new combo. Maybe I will order a water. Maybe a little coffee to ensure that I stay awake.  Oh!  I know!-I do enjoy cheese, popcorn and beer.