Questions On Vitamins, Nutrients, Additives And Specific Foods / Question
Published: June 11, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
How bad are diet drinks for you? For example a friend of mine drinks diet coke every day in school. Yet aren't diet drinks worse than regular drinks?
Signed: Diet Drinks Health
Dear Diet Drinks Health,
Much of the concern about diet soft drinks relates to the artificial sweeteners that are used in these products. Aspartame (nutrasweet) is the artificial sweetener most common in diet soda. There have been a lot of studies over the years that have attributed all types of medical problems to these sweeteners. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not found any credible evidence that would result in these substitutes being banned. In 1999 the FDA approved four low calorie sweeteners and established an "average daily intake" (ADI) for each one. An ADI is the maximum amount considered safe to consume each day over a lifetime. ADI's are intended to be about 100 times less than the smallest amount that might cause an adverse reaction. This does not mean you should consume the maximum amount. Diet sodas are not recommended for quenching your thirst or for replacing fluids lost from physical activity. Water still remains the best beverage for your body.
The following are the FDA approved low-calorie sweeteners and the ADI for each:
- Aspartame - 50mg (equivalent to 5 cans of diet soda)
- Saccharin - 5mg (equivalent to 8.5 packets of sweetener)
- Acesulfame-K - 15mg (equivalent to 25 cans of diet soda)
- Sucralose - 5mg (equivalent to 5 cans of diet soda)
The other thing to consider when it comes to soda is whether the beverage contains caffeine. Caffeine is a chemical compound similar to the hormone adrenaline. It stimulates the activity of the brain, heart, kidneys and intestines. Too much caffeine can make you feel or have:
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Anxious
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Irritable
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Restless
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Dizzy
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Difficulty Concentrating
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Upset Stomach
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Headaches
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Difficulty Sleeping
Consuming too much caffeine over time can lead to dependence. If you stop consuming it you could experience withdrawal symptoms such as sleepiness, headache, and feeling over tired. Like other drugs, regular use of caffeine can lead to tolerance. For example someone who is used to caffeine could drink several cokes and feel little effect, whereas a person who is not a regular coke drinker may feel "hyper" after one can.
As long as your friend drinks diet soda (with or without caffeine) in moderation, then he/she should not have a problem. If caffeine is a concern, have your friend check for caffeine free products on the label.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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