UmneyDurak

So.... I used to drink 24 can of soda a week. Regular kind. Then I kicked that particular habit. Actually now I don't really like the taste of coke. Well at least the crap they sell in the U.S. The coke in Europe made with regular sugar is delicious.

Anyway I recently discovered vanilla coke Zero. My damn weakness! I don't think I could have kicked the habit if they didn't discontinue the regular kind. So I was wondering how bad is it? It's basically diet coke, but with different artificial sweeteners, and has almost no calories. I am looking for something specific not just "it's chemistry so it's bad".

Thanks.

Excl

I have a bad diet soda habit as well! I'd probably kick it if it didn't taste so darn good! It's not the caffeine, it's the taste ... otherwise I'd be pounding coffees!

At any rate, I don't think it's the calories you have to worry about, it's the carbonation. My bro-in-law was telling me that the carbonation in sodas seriously inhibits your VO2 max, which is sort of your body's own oxygen fueled maximum horsepower. Stop drinking sodas for a week, and you can actually feel the difference in your endurance during rides.

There's also the "rehydration" factor, which sodas will be the worst. Because it's more chemicals than water, it won't replentish your body as well as plain water can. I'm not sure this will really effect you as bad as the CO2, but it's among the "Cons".

One last thing to consider is the "Caffeine" aspect. Hi levels of caffeine will really effect your sleeping patterns, and possibly wear you out during the day. Most people find they have a lot more energy when they cut caffeine out of their diet.

Hope that helps, I'm not exactly an expert.

FatguyRacer

Caffiene is a vaso-constrictor. Stands to reason people who quit find they have more energy. I remember feeling the same way when i kicked a nicotene (also a vaso constrictor) habit back in 1996. I had my best race finish that year 10 days after quitting. An uphill finish no less.

Coffee? No way im giving it up. But I try not to drink it before rides. That doesnt work out to well too often.

My soft drink of choice has been Caffiene-Free Diet Coke. I drink maybe one every day or so.

superslomo

I can't quite see how you'd get a lower VO2 Max from drinking CO2 bubbles... but anything's possible, I guess.

Artificial sweeteners in general give your body a tweaked insulin response, and typically make you crave carbs and/or sugar a while after consuming them. The sweetness in the flavor supposedly makes your body produce (I believe) an insulin spike, which makes the craving come on when it isn't met with an onrush of actual sugar calories.

I always thought that being an occasional caffeine user makes caffeine a good performance enhancer... why else would so many energy foods come with the option of caffeinated flavors?

FatguyRacer

I often wonder about that too. But like everything in life, moderation is key. Maybe the stimulant effect offsets the blood vessel constriction. Unfortunately my coffee habit may be more than what can be considered moderate.

I really have noticed a difference on rides where it didnt drink coffee before hand.

jacob.

Really any type of soda is bad for you. You should really only drink lots and lots of water, and milk when you feel fit.

Any type of carbonated or sugar filled drink isnt good for you.

UmneyDurak

From my original post:

AnthonyG

See this article, https://www.westonaprice.org/modernfo...ree_blues.html

Regards, Anthony

ericgu

The diet stuff is likely better for you than the regular stuff, but there is some research that *suggests* that drinking sweet diet coke leaves you programmed to like sweet stuff.

The research I've seen around artificial sweeteners doesn't make me particularly nervous, but I do agree with others that it's generally better to have water.

Aquajag

While I enjoy a soda once in a while(I used to drink a lot of Dr. Pepper), I've found that tea and water are more refreshing. Mostly I drink green tea, but that's just a personal preference. Really, I look at soda this way: why would you want to drink a lot of something that people can pour over the acid buildup on their battery connectors to clean it. Is there not something wrong with that?

Fat Boy

If mold can't grow on it, neither can you.

FatguyRacer

The acids in you stomach will eat thru metal. I dont think a coke is gonna hurt it.