(As heard on AFR 2/11/11 – Laurette with Crane Durham on “Nothing But Truth”)
Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy a little carbonated beverage now and then, a study presented at the International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles raises a few questions, as well as the eyebrows of some doctors — and the blood pressure of diet drink company executives.
The diet soda study was based on a survey of 2,500 adults in the New York City who were followed for 10 years. The researchers found that those who reported drinking a diet soda every day had a 61 percent increased risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who said they didn't drink soda at all.
Researchers came to these conclusions even when accounting for physical activity, smoking, alcohol use and calories consumed.
Being a New York City girl myself (transplanted to northeastern Oklahoma), I can't help but wonder if the fast-paced NYC lifestyle had anything to do with it.
Some medical doctors and experts in diet and vascular disease are skeptical, too.
Referring to the questionnaire-based study ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser said, “This study has major flaws and should not change anyone's diet soda consumption.”
“One of the many flaws here is that participants were asked about soda intake at only one point in time, when they entered the study,” Besser said. “It is difficult to imagine that people's intake of soda is constant during that period.”
Now my eyebrows go up a little, too. ABC – TV. Hmm. Think any of ABC's ad revenue comes from diet beverage sales? Naaaah.
The Problem with Diet Sodas
One can of regular soda pop has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, as well as artificial food colors and sulphites. But you say, “I drink diet soda.”
Some nutritional experts believe the artificial sweeteners are worse than sugar, and they may actually make you crave more sweets and fattening foods.
The findings of studies published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that eating and drinking artificially sweetened foods and beverages may be causing people to underestimate their caloric intake. Laboratory animals overate three times more calories than those that did not ingest artificial sweeteners.[i]
Obesity rates in children seem linked to sodas as well. A study published in “The Lancet,” Britain’s prestigious medical journal states that for every soft drink or sugar-sweetened beverage a child drinks each day, their obesity risk jumps 60%.[ii]
Instead of soda pop, drink water (add lemon or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of raw honey for taste, added nutrients and enzymes)—or if you must have a carbonated beverage, try sparkling water or seltzer water (I like to flavor it with Vanilla Creme stevia liquid for a no-sugar, no-calorie “vanilla soda”).
To help lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular disease, most medical experts recommend including a moderate exercise program to improve health.
GOOD NEWS!
According to the Cooper Institute, walking five times a week for 30 minutes a day at the rate of 3 miles per hour reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by 58%.
The results of a study conducted measuring fitness and risk of dying was published by Dr. Steve Blair of the Institute for Aerobics Research and his colleagues.
According to Dr. Blair, “Just getting out of the least-fit category into the moderate-fitness category provides substantial benefits. Turn off the TV, get up and move around a little bit.”
So, put down the soda, pick up the pace and let's get moving!
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[i] International Journal of Obesity, A Pavlovian approach to the problem of obesity. T.L. Davidson and S.E. Swithers – Dept of Psychological Sciences, Ingestive Behavior Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN July 2004; 28, pages 933-935
[ii] The Lancet 2001; 357: 505-508
