Diet Drinks bad for you???

[SuperShick]

Hey guys, I just wanted to know personally from the elite community if diet drinks such as diet coke, diet whatever or even the diet caffeine free drinks are ok to drink. I know water is the best source but I find myself drinking more diet drinks because mentally i know it's calorie free. I'm sure there are some bad effects of Splenda or what not in the drinks for mass consumption but can anyone tell me for sure? Thanx guys

-SuperShick

 

[bigdawginCO]

Well diet is much better, regular soda is friggin evil. But the aspertame in diet drinks really is not good for you either. I really like green tea personally, crystal light offers a lot of flavored stuff that could be good, i've bought some but never tried it out yet.

 

[The Red Dragon]

I just stick with water and green tea, you do get used to it.

There's only 50 mg of caffeine in a can of cola...approximate (if it even contains caffeine). It's not that much, but I personally don't like the destabilization of blood sugar that follows (unless you wanna use it as a thermogenic anyway...again, negligeable amount)...and artificial sweetners are generally bad for you in high quantities, but I doubt you would hit that point. I think splenda fucks with your thymus, although these tests were done on hyperdosed rats. Asparatame metabolises as phenylalanine (not too much of a problem for non PKU people) and methanol...which is why people report blindness at excessive dosages.

In general, its not bad since diet cola has trace amounts of those chems, but water and green tea are far superior in terms of health/bodybuilding purposes...and again, you will get used to them. It could be worse, you could be drinking juice or regular cola ...oh yeah, high phosphorus levels bad - it'll shift your hormone balance to excrete calcium from bones or whatever. I never understood diet colas, they taste like ass.

 

[SuperShick]

haha thanx for the answer guys....i saw some great arizona diet green tea at safeway. you think that'll be a good substitute? oh btw, i never drink cola...the processed sugars and what not are killer. Plus, i got used to diet now, it tastes like regular soda to me now these days. But anyways...u guys speak of green tea? what brand should i get? Or are you talking about making green tea from tea bags LOL. Thx for the input guys

-SuperShick

 

[KIAN]

Coke Classic (12 fl.oz)

Calories 162
Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 50 mg
Carbohydrates 40.5 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 40.5 g
Protein 0 g
Caffeine 34 mg


Diet Coke (12 fl.oz)

Calories 2
Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 42 mg
Carbohydrates 0.2 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g
Potassium 18 mg
Caffeine 45.6 mg


Diet Pepsi (12 fl.oz)

Calories 0
Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium n/a
Total Carbohydrates 0 g
Dietary Fiber n/a
Sugars n/a
Protein 0 g
Caffeine 36 mg

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phosphoric acid
potassium sorbate
sodium benzoate
sodium citrate
ascorbic acid

The caffeine will create an acidic condition in the stomach which may lead to GI problems with higher consumption over longer periods of time. The phosphoric acid will lower the pH value of your saliva and in order for your body to compensate for this, it pulls calcium from bone (including teeth) to act as a buffer. The potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are used as preserving agents against yeasts and fungi. The sodium citrate is used to keep the acidity level of the drink lower than it otherwise would be. The ascorbic acid is used as an anti-oxidant.

Sodas or diet-sodas have no nutritional value whatsoever and any calories which they may contain are classed as 'empty' ones. It just doesn't make sense to pay for and consume a product which has the potential to remove more from your body than it delivers.

I would much rather pay for water.

 

[SuperShick]

anything bad about green tea? can i get the arizona diet green teas or bad idea?

 

[KIAN]

Arizona Green Tea (8 fl.oz)

Calories 72
Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat n/a
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 20 mg
Carbohydrates 18 g
Fibre 0 g
Sugars 17 g
Protein 0 g

Arizona Diet Green Tea (8 fl.oz)

Calories 4
Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat n/a
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 20 mg
Carbohydrates 1 g
Fibre 0 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 0 g


Caffeine levels would be about 36 mg per cup so you will still have to keep in mind that it is an irritant to the GI tract. If you purchase decaffeinated products make sure the process is done so with water or carbon dioxide (this is the usual method now). The alternative process uses chemicals and leaves traces of solvents in the finished decaffeinated product. Also, to reduce the possibility of pesticide contamination to the tea, look for organic varieties.

If you are using any of the following drugs then you should not consume green tea.

- Atropine
- Cardec DM
- Codeine
- Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine
- Lomotil/Lonox
- Theophylline/Aminophylline
- Warfarin

I don't want to come across as all doom and gloom as Green Tea is reported to have certain health benefits so just use your own judgement and consume things in moderation.

 

[SuperShick]

dude kian, u're nuts yo.....u bio major or in study? u know a lot about how chemicals work and stuff....props to you yo. i'm just a lowly engineer hahahaha

 

[KIAN]

Oh you should see me when I'm on form.
Unfortunately it's 5:30 am so I could probably use some of your green tea right about now.

Thanks for the k.
Nice to see you in the green zone for a change.

 

[SuperShick]

hahaha, i don't even know how i got to the red zone...i guess people don't like me =) lol