Drinking Diet Coke Every Day Can Cause Hypertension
Though high blood pressure, or hypertension as it is also known, may be common over 100 million Americans suffer from hypertension, according to the American Heart Association that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. As the Mayo Clinic explained, “High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.” As if that weren’t scary enough, drinking a Diet Coke every day may actually cause high blood pressure.
A 2016 study from the Department of Food and Nutrition at Kyung Hee University in South Korea found that “high SSB and ASB consumption is associated with an increased risk of hypertension.” Additional studies have also found that drinking artificially-sweetened beverages such as Diet Coke can lead to hypertension.
What Are Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hardened deposits of salt and other minerals that do not properly filter through the kidneys. These deposits result in painful stones that need to be passed through the bladder. Roughly 11 percent of men and 7 percent of women suffer from kidney stones, and they tend to occur more than once.
Four types of stones can be passed, depending on the type of substance formed in the urinary tract. These include: calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones, and cystine stones. Patients can be prone to certain types depending on underlying factors and certain conditions.
Baking Soda For Kidney Patients
A daily dose of baking soda could help patients with chronic kidney disease avoid having to undergo dialysis, reported The Times . It said that research has found that sodium bicarbonate can dramatically slow the progress of the condition. The newspaper said that patients given a small daily dose of sodium bicarbonate over a year, had only two-thirds of the decline in kidney function experienced by people given usual care.
This randomised controlled trial found that people with both chronic kidney disease and metabolic acidosis benefited from oral bicarbonate supplements over a two-year period. The study has some shortcomings, but provides strong evidence that these supplements could be used in treatment. The researchers have called for further research to confirm their findings.
The exact place of this in standard treatment for people with chronic kidney disease is not yet known. In practice, people with severe renal disease may receive sodium bicarbonate as part of their treatment in hospital anyway.
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The Trouble With Sugar
You may think at this point that sugar-free, diet sodas are your only option. Not so, says the National Kidney Foundation. Reviewing the literature on the subject, the foundation reported that drinking sugar-free colas and other carbonated beverages still have problematic health repercussions. Sugar-free carbonated beverages can result in diminished kidney function. Specifically, your kidney’s filtration rate may drop at an accelerated pace when you consume two or more diet sodas each day. This rate is an important indicator of your kidneys functioning status. In one reviewed study, the foundation said women who drank two diet sodas each day had a 30 percent greater reduction in kidney function over 20 years than women who didnt drink diet soda.
- You may think at this point that sugar-free, diet sodas are your only option.
- Reviewing the literature on the subject, the foundation reported that drinking sugar-free colas and other carbonated beverages still have problematic health repercussions.
Diet Soda And Kidneys: Study Details
The researchers evaluated 3,256 women already participating in the Nurses Health Study who had submitted dietary information, including their intake of sugary beverages sugar-sweetened drinks, sugar-sweetened soda, and artificially sweetened soda. Sugar-sweetened drinks included soda, fruit juices, punch, and iced tea.
Information was also available on measures of kidney function. Their median age was 67.
Lins team looked at the cumulative average beverage intake, derived from food questionnaires completed in 1984, 1986, and 1990. The women replied whether they drank the beverages less than once a month, one to four times a month, two to six times weekly, once daily but less than twice, or twice a day or more often.
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Is Soda Bad For Kidneys
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Soda Caused Dehydration And Kidney Disease Markers In Simulated Manual Labor
- Date:
- American Physiological Society
- Summary:
- New research suggests that drinking sugary, caffeinated soft drinks while exercising in hot weather may increase the risk of kidney disease.
New research suggests that drinking sugary, caffeinated soft drinks while exercising in hot weather may increase the risk of kidney disease. The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology — Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.
The research team found higher levels of creatinine in the blood and a lower glomerular filtration rate — markers for kidney injury — after the soft drink trial. These temporary changes did not occur when the participants drank water. In addition, the participants’ blood levels of vasopressin, an anti-diuretic hormone that raises blood pressure, was higher and they were mildly dehydrated during and after the soft drink trial. “The consumption of soft drinks during and following exercise in the heat does not rehydrate,” the researchers explained. “Thus, consuming soft drinks as a rehydration beverage during exercise in the heat may not be ideal. Further work will need to discern the long-term effects of soft drink consumption during exercise in the heat, and its relation to the risk of .”
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Sodium Bicarbonate And Chronic Kidney Disease
Metabolic acidosis has been associated with the progression of CKD.2,3 Sodium bicarbonate supplementation is recommended for CKD patients whose bicarbonate lab levels are less than 22 mmol/L.1,2 Sodium bicarbonate, a base, helps to neutralize and decrease the blood acid levels. Studies have been done to see if bicarbonate supplementation slows the progression of CKD.2-4 A study published in 2010 compared sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and placebo supplementation in stage 2 hypertension-associated CKD patients over 5 years.4 The decline in kidney function decreased significantly for those taking sodium bicarbonate compared to the other groups. This slowing of CKD progression with sodium bicarbonate supplementation was also supported by a 2015 review of other small studies that included participants with CKD stages 2-5.3 The results from these studies show that sodium bicarbonate may slow the progression of kidney disease.
People With A History Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Diet soda is widely known in the gastrointestinal community to irritate the gut so those with irritable bowel syndrome should stay away from these popular carbonated beverages. “The artificial sugars used in diet soda are often difficult to digest or absorb by the human gut which results in bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in many patients,” says Dr. Jonathon Kung, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai. “Artificial sugars in some cases are also known to alter the gut bacterial population in humans resulting in worsening gastrointestinal symptoms.”
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Packaged Instant And Premade Meals
Processed foods can be a major component of sodium in the diet.
Among these foods, packaged, instant, and premade meals are usually the most heavily processed and thus contain the most sodium.
Examples include frozen pizza, microwaveable meals, and instant noodles.
Keeping sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day may be difficult if youre eating highly processed foods regularly.
Heavily processed foods not only contain a large amount of sodium but also commonly lack nutrients .
SUMMARY
Packaged, instant, and premade meals are highly processed items that can contain very large amounts of sodium and lack nutrients. Its best to limit these foods on a renal diet.
Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens are leafy green vegetables that contain high amounts of various nutrients and minerals, including potassium.
When served raw, the amount of potassium varies between 140290 mg per cup .
While leafy vegetables shrink to a smaller serving size when cooked, the potassium content remains the same.
For example, one-half cup of raw spinach will shrink to about 1 tablespoon when cooked. Thus, eating one-half cup of cooked spinach will contain a much higher amount of potassium than one-half cup of raw spinach.
Raw Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens are preferable to cooked greens to avoid too much potassium.
However, moderate your intake of these foods, as theyre also high in oxalates. Among sensitive individuals, oxalates can increase the risk of kidney stones (
Sugary Sodas Tied To Higher Risk Of Kidney Disease
4 Min Read
– People who drink lots of sugar-sweetened soda and fruit juices may be more likely to develop chronic kidney disease than those who dont, a U.S. study suggests.
Researchers examined survey data on beverage consumption among 3,003 African-American men and women who were 54 years old on average and didnt have kidney disease. After following participants for about 8 to 10 years, researchers found that 185 people, or 6 percent, developed chronic kidney disease.
After researchers accounted for factors that can contribute to kidney damage such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and inactivity, they found that drinking mainly sodas and sweetened fruit drinks was associated with a 61 percent higher risk of kidney disease.
When researchers looked at beverages individually, however, they found soda was the main culprit.
These findings add to the body of literature on the adverse health effects of sugar-sweetened beverages and support recommendations to avoid their consumption, said lead study author Casey Rebholz of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
It is widely recognized that sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda and sweetened fruit drinks, should be avoided in order to reduce ones risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, Rebholz said by email.
But people should still avoid eating or drinking excessive amounts of sugar.
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How To Cut Down Your Consumption
There are plenty of simple steps you can take to decrease your intake of diet soda.
Start by slowly swapping it for other drinks in your diet. Here are a few alternative drinks to consider:
- flavored water
- seltzer water
- kombucha
Look for versions of these drinks that either are unsweetened or have a lower sugar content. Try adding a splash of juice to water or seltzer.
You can make flavored water by adding cucumber slices, fresh or frozen fruit, herbs like basil and mint, or citrus fruits like lime or lemon to plain or sparkling water for a hint of flavor without added sugar.
If you particularly crave diet soda when you feel hungry or thirsty, try to stay hydrated and enjoy plenty of nutritious snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, throughout the day. Doing so might help keep your cravings at bay.
It may also help to buy less soda when you go grocery shopping and stock up on healthy alternatives instead. This will make it much easier to reach for a different drink in place of diet soda when you feel thirsty.
Finally, keep in mind that some people may prefer to gradually decrease their diet soda consumption instead of cutting it out all at once.
If this is the case for you, try taking it slowly and reducing the amount of diet soda that you drink each week to make long-lasting, sustainable changes that may be easier to stick with over time.
People With Migraine History Or Chronic Headaches
According to the Mayo Clinic and American Migraine Foundation, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, commonly found in diet soda, can be a possible migraine trigger. “Artificial sugars used in diet sodas have been linked to more frequent migraines, worsening chronic headaches, and irritability,” says Kung.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
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Unholy Trinity: Fructose Non
New research shows that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is closely tied to kidney problems. It can increase your chances of developing metabolic syndrome, which in turn is a major factor in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease. And heavy soda drinkers put themselves at increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease due to the staggeringly high levels of fructose in the average soda.Phosphorus-Linked Kidney Damage
A substantially high level of phosphorus in the blood can lead to an electrolyte disturbance known as hyperphosphatemia, which in turn can cause organ damage, significantly to the kidneys.
Side Effects Of Drinking Coca
According to Coca-Cola, Diet Coke was launched in 1983 as a sugar-free alternative to regular Coke. It has its own blend of flavors that is different from that of the original Coca-Cola drink. Diet Coke is low in calories and offers no nutrition Coca-Cola says a 330-milliliter serving of Diet Coke has 1 calorie and 0 grams of protein, fat, carbs, sugar and salt.
Read more:Diet Coke Nutrition and Sugar Facts
Diet Coke is sweetened using an artificial sweetener called aspartame. It also contains carbonated water, caramel coloring, caffeine, citric acid, phosphoric acid and phenylalanine.
The side effects of drinking Coca-Cola every day can be pretty severe. A May 2018 study published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition found that diet soda may be associated with a higher risk of diabetes.
The journal Nutrients published a study in May 2015 that found that consumption of diet soda was linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions like elevated blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar and excess abdominal fat. This syndrome can raise your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Another of the long-term effects of Coca-Cola is that it can damage your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, the carbonation in the drink, combined with the acids it contains, can erode your teeth.
Read more:Coke Zero Health Risks
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Drinking Diet Coke Every Day Can Literally Damage Your Cells
One of the most alarming and surprising possible side effects of drinking Diet Coke every day is that it actually has the ability to damage your cells. According to Today, most diet beverages contain one certain ingredient that regular sodas typically don’t have: “mold inhibitors.” Per Today, “they go by the names sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate.” According to Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and several other products contain such “preservatives.” However, they aren’t great for you.
“These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it they knock it out altogether,” Peter Piper , a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, revealed to a newspaper some time ago .
Although some companies took the initiative to stop using sodium benzoate, they merely transitioned to using other mold inhibitors, which still have the ability to damage DNA.
Nutrients To Be Aware Of
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other healthy options that will do your kidneys, and your body, plenty of good. If you do have chronic kidney disease, there are a few nutrients you should be aware of.
Your kidneys regulate potassium, which is why itâs so important to monitor how much you are eating on a regular basis. Your kidneys also have a role in red blood cell production, meaning that if they arenât functioning correctly your count may be low. Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent this and help keep your energy levels up.
On the opposite side of the equation, salt can be your enemy. Too much salt can raise your blood pressure and make your heart and kidneys work too hard. Be careful about how much salt you use in cooking and also watch the salt content of pre-packaged foods like canned soups, frozen dinners, and boxed meals. Salt substitutes may also contain a lot of potassium, so try herbs to add flavor and give it some time. You can get used to eating less salt, but it does take six to eight weeks for your taste buds to get used to it.
Lastly, we mentioned phosphorus, but it is worth repeating. A low-phosphorus diet should include lots of fresh fruits and veggies, rice milk, corn and rice cereals, as well as lemonade and even ginger ale.
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Diet Soda And Kidneys: Study Results
When the researchers compared kidney function of the women in 1989 and 2000, they found that 11.4% or 372 women had a kidney function decline of 30% or more. When they looked at the diet information, they found that the 30% decline in kidney function was associated with drinking two or more artificially sweetened sodas a day. This was true even after taking into account factors such as age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and physical activity.
Put another way: the women who drank two or more diet sodas a day had a decline in their glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney function, of 3 milliliters per minute per year. With natural aging, kidney function declines about 1 mL per minute per year after age 40, Lin says. No link was found with the other beverages. And less than two sodas a day didnt seem to hurt. We didnt see any association up to two artificially sweetened beverages a day, Lin says.
Continued
A serving was reported as either a glass, a can, or a bottle of a beverage, Lin tells WebMD. It was not more specific than that.
The mechanisms arent clear, Lin says of the association she found. In another study she presented at the meeting, she found higher salt intake is also associated with faster kidney function decline.
All of the participants were women, so Lin cant say for sure that the association holds for men, although she says there is no biological reason to think it wouldnt.