Adeline Courtney, '27 & Charlotte Figler, '27
Have you ever drank a Diet Coke or Diet soda because it’s “healthier” or because “diet” is in the name? How do you really know if it’s healthier? In this article, we will be exploring the two different types of soda and if it is really healthier or not.
While Diet Coke has 0 sugar, it also has other things that make up for those lost sugars. Diet Coke contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame and cyclamates that add a better taste. While most people think these sugars cause cancer, it has actually been proven that it does not. Regular Coke contains lots of sugars that add calories and other health problems by drinking that much sugar in one serving (Webber Nutrition). But, fake sugars can sometimes be worse for you than normal sugars. Some fake sugars are addicting, giving us a rush of dopamine when we drink it, resulting in us wanting more. If both sodas have the same bad effects, which one is better? Looking at the health detriments may highlight the answer.
While Coke may seem like a harmless sweet treat, its ingredients can lead to serious health issues. Many Coke consumers make the assumption that Diet Coke is the “healthier” choice, but that is not the case. In fact, both kinds of soda can cause very similar health problems. First, let's discuss the negative effects of plain Coke. The effects can range from weight gain and obesity. More serious problems include kidney and heart diseases. The most common of these problems are notably tooth decay and type 2 diabetes. These kinds of health threats are what make people turn to Diet Coke in the first place. Unfortunately, the risks are just the same. Type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and tooth decay are all similar outcomes that come with Diet Coke as well. If anything, there are more concerns: kidney health, premature birth, heart disease, and other health problems can develop.
Overall, both diet soda and normal soda have their own problems and health detriments. While diet sodas have less calories and are better viewed for weight loss, they are not much better than normal soda. A better choice would be water with fruits, seltzer, or just normal water. Soda is a treat that shouldn’t be had too often, but indulging every once in a while is okay.
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