Diet Coke Nutrition Facts: Is It Really Good for You?

Diet Coke Nutrition Facts: Is It Really Good for You?
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Nutritional Values In Diet Coke

Diet Coke and other diet soda, while containing 0 calories, add no nutritional value to your daily intake of nutrients. Diet Coke nutrition facts data lists sodium as its only food grade ingredient. Other ingredients include caffeine, phosphoric acid and aspartame, all non-naturally occurring additives that add no nutrition to the drink. Diet Coke Plus (a diet drink alternative to regular Diet Coke) does add low quantities of vitamins including some B vitamins, niacin and magnesium.

Caution is recommended when drinking diet beverages. Some correlation has been found between chemicals found in Diet Coke and kidney issues in combination with various diets and low calcium intake.

Non-nutrition Additives in Diet Coke

Aspartame has been labeled the culprit in exacerbating and even causing conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors and various cancers. Internet hoaxes, letters, emails and apparent “studies” have been circulating for years; some gaining an almost cult-like following with believers reproducing the misinformation.

To date, no conclusive studies have been shown to link Aspartame to these conditions as an exclusive cause, according to recognized Internet watchdog Snopes.com. Snopes shows reviews from Time, MIT, the FDA and others that state no proof that the popular sweetener is a villain in these diseases and conditions. As with all chemical additives, too much of a good thing isn’t likely to be good and moderate usage is recommended.

While some informal studies show a possible link between diet foods and kidney issues, the sweetener’s culpability is only suggested. Without direct studies using Aspartame as an individual ingredient, absolute connection hasn’t been established.

Caffeine is an addictive stimulant and Diet Coke contains about 45mg per 12 oz. Caffeine can affect brain function, memory, sleep and calm. It can make us jittery and unable to concentrate. It is recommended that if you also consume other caffeine drinks such as tea or coffee, you should moderate your intake balanced among the caffeine-containing beverages.

Caffeine can effect the nervous system, cause hyperactivity, speed up heart rate and irritability. It is not suggested for people who suffer from high blood pressure, heart issues and nerve problems.

Phosphoric acid is a non-nutritional chemical additive in Diet Coke. This chemical has been found to have a direct link to osteoporosis and cancer of the skin. Two studies carried out by two separate universities finding these links when phosphoric acid is taken in combination with a low calcium diet. It is suggested that calcium be added to your diet if you drink Diet Coke regularly.

Diet Coke nutrition facts are clear in that it contains nothing positive for your body. If you do enjoy this drink, do so in moderation.

References

https://productnutrition.thecoca-colacompany.com/products/diet-coke

https://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/aspartameWebpage.htm

https://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

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