Don’t you put that soda down, Ezra!.
Oh my… where to begin? Ok, first let’s talk about your credentials as a nutritionist and scientist. Oh, that’s right, you have none. Well I am a nutritionist, and can tell you that when I work with clients who are overweight, almost all of them drink diet soda. In fact the most current studies show that at least 40% of people who drink diet soda remain overweight. And there are over 100 studies that show a link between diet soda consumption and obesity, kidney problems, osteoporosis, migraines, increased stroke risk, and yes cancer. (http://search.medscape.com/news-search?newSearch=1&queryText=diet+soda+)
Out of all the “unhealthy” foods and drinks I urge my clients to quit- guess which one they resist quitting the most? Yep, you probably guessed it- diet soda. Why is that you ask? Well, let me explain the “scientific” reason to you. Aspartame is addictive. It is addictive because it actually raises certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine (if you need an explanation of what they are- please look it up) to an unnatural high level, which tells your brain it is pretty happy and content. But once the affect starts to wear off, your brain starts to feel unhappy and craves more. And if you even doubt this process, go a day or 2 without drinking diet soda and see how you feel. You might assume it is the caffeine, but that is only part of it. Otherwise, why are so many people unable to give up their diet soda, but can quit other forms of caffeine more easily? By the way, anything you are addicted to, is not good for you, because it chemically alters your brain chemistry. Do people ever get addicted to broccoli, or apples, or oatmeal? No, never… So, Adam, please feel free to take your chances on drinking a completely unnatural, chemical concoction that has lots of evidence that it can harm your health. But stop telling other people that it is fine. I think the FDA should take action against you like they do against natural health products that claim to cure. If anything you are doing more harm than any of those people are. Isn’t it ironic that the FDA doesn’t care if people claim something that is clearly bad for you is ok, but they can arrest a farmer who claims that eating natural cherries is healthy for you. Yes, that is an agency you should put your trust in.