What does drinking Diet Coke do to your body?
Aspartame, known for being present in Diet Coke, could have potential cancer-causing effects. (Getty Images)
Diet Coke has garnered attention recently due to apprehensions surrounding the potential carcinogenic properties of one of its components, aspartame.
Nevertheless, a fortnight subsequent to initial apprehensions being raised, the global organization for health known as the World Heath Organization has currently affirmed that the carbonated beverage is deemed secure - under the condition that individuals refrain from consuming more than 14 containers per day, thus ensuring the intake of the artificial sweetener aspartame remains at a reduced threshold.
"We're not suggesting that consumers completely cease their consumption of aspartame. We simply recommend exercising some moderation," stated Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO.
According to evaluations conducted on aspartame, it has been found that the quantities commonly consumed pose no significant safety issues. However, there have been reports of potential effects that require further and improved research to be thoroughly investigated.
Is there a sugar alternative that is considered the most nutritious? What to be aware of following the World Health Organization's declaration about aspartame. (USA Today)
The discoveries have brought a sense of comfort to individuals who frequently consume diet sodas, as the recommendations for aspartame vary based on one's weight.
According to Marie Claire Magazine, Farzanah Nasser, a nutritional therapist, mentioned that although there is some evidence of aspartame potentially causing cancer in humans, it is still limited. The studies conducted on rats revealed a cancer-causing effect only when they consumed a dose 200 times greater than what a human would typically consume.
The Committee of Food Additives Experts, which is a collaboration between FAO and WHO (JEFCA), has further stated that in order for a person weighing 60 kilograms to potentially develop cancer from consuming aspartame, they would have to drink anywhere between twelve and 36 cans of diet coke per day.
Effects Of Diet Sodas On The Body
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated the necessity for further investigation, the potential relationship between aspartame and cancer is not the sole worry when it comes to the substances present in diet beverages.
Diet Coke is made up of aspartame, a substance that has been associated with the development of cancer. (AP)
As per the information from Penn Medicine: "Numerous research efforts have consistently established a connection between consumption of artificially sweetened soda and a heightened likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular issues like congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and/or myocardial infarction."
The primary offender? Once more, it's synthetic sweeteners like aspartame. Other medical issues that may emerge due to the intake of low-calorie soda, such as gaining weight, elevated blood sugar levels, and diabetes, can also contribute to heart complications.
The regulatory body responsible for ensuring the safety of food has no intentions of reevaluating a sweetener that could potentially cause cancer.
Moreover, a research conducted by the American Heart Association in 2019 revealed that the intake of artificially sweetened beverages among women who have reached menopause raised the chances of experiencing a stroke triggered by a blood clot.
According to Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, the main researcher at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, a significant number of individuals who are concerned about their weight, particularly those who are overweight or obese, choose to consume beverages sweetened with low-calorie alternatives in order to reduce their overall calorie intake.
Numerous investigations and various observational analyses have demonstrated that artificially sweetened drinks might not be without dangers, and excessive intake is linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing a stroke or developing heart ailments.
Moreover, she remarked: "We lack precise information about the particular kinds of artificially sweetened drinks they were consuming, hence, we remain uncertain about which artificial sweeteners could pose risks and which ones may be safe."
The molecular composition of aspartame, a man-made sweetener, has been associated with the development of cancer. (Alamy)
And even though some of the impacts on health are not clearly defined or need further investigation, individuals who choose to consume diet beverages instead of their higher calorie alternatives might also be in for disillusioning information.
In a recent research article published in 2021 on the JAMA Network, titled "The Impact of Obesity and Gender on the Varied Effects of Sucralose versus Sucrose on Appetite and Reward Processing," it was discovered that females with excess weight experienced heightened hunger sensations following the consumption of low-calorie beverages.
According to Katie Page, the study author from the University of Southern California, it was discovered that women and individuals who are overweight experienced increased brain reward activity following the consumption of artificial sweeteners.
Certainly, the World Health Organization (WHO) also stated earlier this year that artificial sweeteners (AS) did not offer any advantages when it comes to shedding pounds.
Branca stated that Non-Sugar Sweeteners (NSS) do not play a crucial role in our diet and do not provide any nutritional benefits. It is recommended for individuals to decrease the intake of sugary substances in their diet from an early age, as it can positively impact their overall well-being.
Yahoo News has reached out to Coca-Cola to obtain a statement.
