When you are looking for a drink with a little caffeine to give you a boost to your day, you may be tempted to grab a diet soft drink, believing it to be a healthier choice than coffee or other sugary drinks. Yes, diet soda has no calories and is an inexpensive and delicious way to get caffeine. However, the health effects associated with consuming it are more serious than you might think. Headaches, cravings, mood swings, and more are the results of drinking diet soda frequently. Here are some facts about the health risks of diet sodas that may make you rethink your favorite beverage.
Diet soda can cause breakouts
It may not be greasy or sugary, but diet soda is still one of the foods and drinks that can cause breakouts. If you have dry skin, consider substituting your diet soda for a cup of water or a cup of tea instead.
Diet soda has been linked to depression
A 2013 study by the National Institutes of Health indicated an association between diet soda consumption and a higher chance of diagnosing depression.
Diet soda drinkers drink less bone density
In a 2006 study, it was concluded that women who drank diet soda had significantly lower bone mineral density than those who abstained. Low bone mineral density can lead to osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become weak and fragile.
Diet soda can interfere with your gut health
Gut health is important. The healthier your gut, the healthier your digestive system. The healthier your digestive system, the easier it is for your body to properly digest food. According to the study, the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may alter the type and function of bacteria in your gut microbiome.
Drinking diet soda increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and diabetes
A 2016 study published by the Canadian Journal of Science revealed that aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in many diet soft drinks, reduces the activity of certain enzymes in your gut. Low enzymes can lead to metabolic syndrome, which is a "group of conditions" that can cause weight fluctuations, heart disease, stroke and even death. Diet soda increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by more than 30%, and according to a study published by the American Diabetes Association, it is also linked to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.