I always try to keep my readers abreast on breaking news or should I say “popping news” (pun intended) regarding diet soda. However, a recent study came out the other day that has got me mystified, confused and I must admit, slightly annoyed.
A recent study published in the American Heart Association’s (AHA) journal, Circulation, indicates that consumption of sodas (regular and diet) increases the risk for metabolic syndrome. In case you don’t know, metabolic syndrome can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. These conditions are often associated with people that are overweight or obese.
Okay so when I read the findings of this study I immediately thought to myself, “Huh?” How can a diet soda, which is comprised mostly of water and contains no calories, increase the risk for metabolic syndrome?” It just doesn’t make any sense to me and I’m just an average consumer not a scientist or dietitian.
My problem with studies like these is that all they do is confuse the average consumer. We are constantly hearing about new studies that totally contradict previous research. For example, we’ve always been told vitamins are good for you. Then we hear they’re not good for you. How can you say vitamins aren’t good for you when all of the previous research says they are?
It’s the same thing with this study. There is extensive research that supports the use of diet soda in weight control. Sure, it’s not a magic bullet but it can help people easily cut at least 150 calories a day from their diet without a huge lifestyle change. Then this study comes out that may unduly alarm consumers and make them think diet soda may be harmful to their health.
Even the AHA issued a statement in response to criticism of the study, noting,
“Since this is an observational study, it is important to note that the study does not show that soft drinks cause risk factors for heart disease.” AHA adds: “Diet soda can be a good option to replace caloric beverages that do not contain important vitamins and minerals. The American Heart Association supports dietary patterns that include low-calorie beverages like water, diet soft drinks, and fat-free or low-fat milk as better choices than full calorie soft drinks.”
I think it’s important to note that expert organizations are quickly criticizing this study, saying that such research does not demonstrate “causation,” meaning that diet sodas do not cause heart disease. There simply happens to be an association, a link. So, people who drink diet sodas are more likely to be overweight (watching calories) and therefore more likely to be at a higher risk of heart disease. Since overweight increases the risk of heart disease and other diseases, there’s really no surprise finding here. It certainly doesn’t mean diet soft drinks cause heart disease! Of course, you could probably find an association with people that blog and frequently have their computer crash – but that doesn’t mean blogging causes your computer to crash!
The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) issued a statement noting,
“There is no plausible biological explanation for this supposed correlation between soda consumption and the metabolic syndrome," according to Dr. Gilbert Ross, ACSH medical director. "The authors provide no credible basis for believing these associations are causal, or even real, or why both regular and diet soft drinks could be implicated," he continued.
I promise to get off my high horse and return to a light-hearted subject tomorrow. However, don’t let these “sexy” media headlines fool you into thinking diet soda is going to give you heart disease. That’s just ridiculous.
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