According to International Diabetes Federation, Pakistan ranked third in the prevalence of diabetes after China and India.
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Diabetes is a complicated disease spreading commonly in our country. The causes of diabetes include poor eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, over-consumption of free sugar, and negligence towards health. Other causes include genetic history, auto-immune disease like type 1 diabetes, & obesity. Diet plays a vital role in the regulation of blood sugar levels (BSL) and foods or drinks high in sugar and carbohydrates spike a person’s BSL. Therefore, keeping an eye on what you are drinking or eating is necessary. The most common way to manage your diabetes is to check how much carbohydrates you are consuming per day. Polydipsia (abnormally great thirst) is one of the major signs of diabetes. People often quench their thirst with fruit juices or diet drinks. In this article, we will tell you the role of zero sugar cola drinks play in a diabetic person’s life.
1. Diet Soft Drinks And Obesity
Obesity increases the likelihood of diabetes. Diet soft drinks contain no sugar but artificial sweeteners take its place. It is a mixture of carbonated water, artificial or natural sweeteners, flavor, color, and food additives. Diet sodas were initially introduced for diabetic people, later on, they are advertised for people trying to lose weight. Some studies suggest that diet sodas cause obesity only if a person is consuming too much of it, whilst other experiments do not support weight gain through diet soda. Hence, it may be a good substitute for regular sugary drinks but its over-consumption can be hazardous for health.
2. Diet Soft Drinks And Type 2 Diabetes
Diet soft drinks have gained popularity in recent years. There are conflicting views about the incidence of diabetes dueto the consumption of diet soda. Some researches have proved that people taking diet sodas are at risk of developing diabetes because of the presence of artificial sweeteners. A French study conducted in 2013, revealed that people who consume diet sodas regularly are at a higher of developing diabetes as compared to people who consume regular sugary drinks. Although diet sodas are low in calories, they tend to raise blood sugar level. On the other hand, some studies show that diet soda does not cause diabetes. There is a need for more research in order to find out the actual relation between diet soda with diabetes.
3. Promotion Of Sugary Cravings
Artificial sweeteners are sweeter in taste than sugar. These sweeteners promote sugary food cravings. People drinking zero caloric cola drink might have reduced their caloric input for the short term but in the long run, they end up craving more food. A study based on the brain’s reaction towards high-calorie food has revealed that people who consume sugary drinks or drinks sweetened with sucralose or zero-calorie sweetened, seemed to boost their cravings. However, it is also true not everyone will end up having more food, some might eat less. Hence, it varies from person to person.
4. Diet Soft Drinks And Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that occur together, and increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke. These conditions include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides, and so on. Zero sugar cola drinks are linked with an increased risk of unhealthy conditions due to the presence of artificial sweeteners. However, the views on artificial sweeteners are contradicting. Some studies indicate that they are safe for health, while others indicate the opposite. FDA has approved a certain limit of these sweeteners that is safe to consume, therefore, before consuming anything made with them, always read the labels.
We hope that after reading this article, you will consume your zero sugar drinks in moderation, since it is not the best option for your health but still, a better option than regular sugary drinks.
Disclaimer: Please consult a specialist/healthcare provider as this article merely serves as a guide.
Sources: Healthline, Diabetes.co UK, HomeFood & Health