FitSugar

How Bad Is That Diet Coke?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Confession: I have a handful of dirty little secrets when it comes to my health and fitness. One of them is that I harbor a serious Diet Coke addiction. I've been known to have a regular two cans on a weekday, partially for the caffeine jolt, and partially because I like the taste (I know, I know).

Recent studies have shown that even diet versions of popular sodas aren't good for you, and can lead to obesity. I've even heard them described as "chemical water with a little caffeine." I recently noticed that after drinking more than one Diet Coke during the day, I've started getting dull headaches. After one too many DC-induced headaches, I switched my second soda of the day to a caffeine-free Diet 7-Up hoping that would stop the problem, but it did just the opposite - the headaches got worse. To see what I think is causing them and what other problems my Diet Coke habit may be causing,

read more. I remembered reading about the artificial sweetener aspartame and potential side effects in the past; turns out the sweetener - better known as Nutra-Sweet - is found in most diet sodas, including Diet 7-Up. While the FDA's acceptable intake of aspartame is the amount found in about four cans of soda (yikes!), a sensitivity to the sweetener can cause other side effects: headaches, dizziness, mood changes, and even skin reactions. In addition, soda consumption has been linked to lower bone density, since it can block your bones' absorption of calcium. Plus, if you're drinking a soda, you're choosing not to drink something else - a glass of water, juice, or anything with actual health benefits. While the satisfying sound of a fresh can of Diet Coke popping open will probably always cause a reaction, I'm better off switching to an afternoon iced coffee. Besides being a great caffeine fix, it's full of benefits, from antioxidants that lower disease risk to helping to ease post-workout muscle pain. Source: Flickr User Svadilfari

Is Diet Healthier Than Regular Soda?

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:00:40 PDT

With so many people watching their calorie intake, they're always looking for ways to cut back without having to sacrifice much. That's why diet soda has become so popular. A regular 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains 143 calories, but a can of Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Zero contains only one.

Calorie-wise, yes, the diet version seems healthier, but if you take a look at the ingredients, there's a big difference. Diet Coke and Coke Zero contain aspartame, also called NutraSweet or Equal, while Coke is made with sugar. Aspartame is 180 to 200 times sweeter than regular sugar, and is the artificial sweetener of choice when it comes to most diet sodas. While the FDA approved its use in foods and beverages, some side effects include headaches, dizziness, mood changes, or skin reactions after consuming it. Aside from that negative, even though it's low in calories, diet soda may also lead to weight gain. To find out how keep reading

Artificial Sweeteners Explained

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:30:00 PDT

I have a huge sweet tooth and I'm not afraid to admit it. I tend to go for treats made with real sugar, but I know many people watching their calorie intake like to go for sugar substitutes (so they can have their cake and not wear it too).

There are so many artificial sweeteners out there, it's hard to keep them straight. Here's a list of some of the most popular ones.

Type of Artificial Sweetener	General Info	Pros	Cons
Sucralose (Splenda)	Contains maltodextrin to bulk it up It's 600 times sweeter than regular sugar.	Has zero calories. You can bake with it. After 110 studies, the FDA concluded that sucralose has no toxic or carcinogenic effects, and poses no reproductive or neurological risks to people.	The bulking agents add about 12 calories per tablespoon of Splenda (although the nutritional info doesn't list these calories. Adds an artificial taste when you bake with it.

Want to see the rest of the list? Then

Saccharin (Sweet'N Low)	It's 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. Is a molecule made from petroleum. The FDA proposed a ban on it in 1977 when lab rats that were fed huge amounts contracted bladder cancer. The ban was never enacted though, and the warning label was dropped in 2000.	Has zero calories. You can bake with it.	Since 1981, government reports list it as an "anticipated human carcinogen." Male smokers may be at risk of cancer if they consume large amounts. Little studies have been done regarding its effects on children, so they should consume it in small quantities, or not at all. Pregnant women are advised to use saccharin sparingly.
Aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal)	It's 180 to 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. 70 percent of all aspartame is used in sodas. The FDA has set the acceptable daily intake (ADI) at 50 mg per kilogram of body weight. That translates to about four (12 oz.) cans of diet soda per day (that's a lot of soda).	One gram of aspartame contains 4 calories. In 1996, the FDA approved its use in foods and beverages. It's approved for consumption by pregnant women, as long as they follow the FDA's guidelines.	You can't bake with it. Some people may have a sensitivity to aspartame, and may experience headaches, dizziness, mood changes, or skin reactions after consuming it.
Acesulfame-K (Sunette or Sweet One)	It's 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. The body can't break it down, so it's excreted from the body unchanged.	It has zero calories. It's approved by the FDA. It doesn't increase the risk of cancer, or affect blood-sugar levels. You can bake with it. It's approved for consumption by pregnant women, as long as they follow the FDA's guidelines.	It has a bitter taste on its own. The consumer group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, believes that studies on this sweetener were poorly done and didn't test its potential cancer-causing risks.
Sorbitol, Mannitol	These are sugar alcohols that occur naturally in fruits, and are commercially made for use as sweeteners.	FDA has designated them as "Generally Recognized As Safe." They're absorbed slowly.	Some parts of these aren't absorbed at all, so consuming these in large quantities may cause diarrhea. This laxative effect can happen if you consume more than 49 grams of sorbitol, or more than 19 grams of manitol.

Fit's Tips: After hearing all those bad things about sugar substitutes, and knowing that one packet of real sugar contains only 11 calories, I think I'll stick to the sugar. What about you? Source

Taste Test: Dr Pepper Ten

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:41:04 PST

The Dr Pepper Ten ads have sparked a lot of controversy in the past month for their perceived sexism. The beverage is targeted to men, with ads claiming there's nothing girlie or unmanly about this diet drink. So we rounded up a group of male and female taste testers and tried it alongside regular Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper. Check out what our tasters had to say about Dr Pepper Ten.

The promise: "A unique blend of sweeteners that delivers the iconic flavor and beverage experience of regular Dr Pepper with just 10 calories."

See if the promise held up.

The Pros and Cons of Chewing Gum

Heather Dale — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:49:33 PDT

In addition to lip chap and my cell phone, gum rounds out my list of essential purse items. But when it comes to chewing gum in general, how much do we really know about these tasty, rubbery pieces we regularly munch on? Are there any benefits to chomping?

Health Benefits

Heartburn relief: In 2005, researchers found that the saliva stimulated by chewing seemed to neutralize the digestive stomach acid that had leaked into the esophagus. It also seemed to help force fluids back into the stomach and therefore provide heartburn relief. Chewing gum - sugarless, of course - for 30 minutes did the trick and can provide relief for up to three hours.
Kills bacteria and freshens breath: Chewing stimulates saliva production, and the more saliva you have in your mouth, the less bacteria you will have. Gum that is said to be sweetened with xylitol is said to increase salivation and prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth. In terms of what flavor to go with, it's best to stick with cinnamon, as it can actually help to decrease bacteria in your mouth - sugar-free cinnamon, naturally.

Keep reading for more pros and find out if chewing gum poses any health risks!

Another Study Says It: Diet Soda Leads to Weight Gain

Leta Shy — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:40:00 PDT

Study after study has told us to watch out for those empty, sugary calories in sweetened drinks like soda, but two new studies remind us about the dangers of diet soda - they too can lead to weight gain and may raise your risk for developing diabetes.

The studies were presented at a diabetes conference this weekend, and together they show that drinking diet soda may just be another thing in our diets that is making us fat. One study followed 474 older-age diet-soda drinkers and found that their waistlines grew 70 percent more than non-diet-soda drinkers, even when the researchers accounted for differences in age, physical activity level, and diabetes status.

The news gets worse; read on for how bad a two-diets-a-day habit is for your waistline.

Taste Test: Snapple Papaya Mango Tea

Susannah Chen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:58:08 PDT

I never thought I'd say this, but these days, I'm more of a tea person than a coffee person. Ever since getting hooked on ginger tea, I've slowly made my way to other herbal teas and, most recently, black and green tea. Not that I wasn't able to drink them before, but now I actually like them.

Snapple must've known. They shipped over a giant container of their latest drink, Papaya Mango Iced Tea, a new limited-edition beverage released in partnership with CBS's The Amazing Race, and "inspired by the exotic flavors and rich tea tradition of India." We tried both the regular and diet versions, which are, according to the label, "naturally flavored with other natural flavors." What does that even mean?

"The regular tastes good!" Katie remarked on first sip. It's true: the fruity-floral initial notes, mildly bitter black tea, and sweet ending are inherently satisfying. As a longtime Diet Coke drinker, I preferred the aspartame version. It tastes similarly refreshing and doesn't have the lingering aftertaste of some diet beverages. Neither had distinctly mango or papaya notes, but generally tropical, almost pineapple-y flavors.

I don't buy bottled iced tea often, but this would be the perfect drink to get into gear for Spring's warmer days. What's your favorite iced tea flavor?