The ugly truth about diet soda

When you're trying to lose weight and keep your blood sugar in check, diet soda might seem like a logical choice. But, unfortunately, while it may be free of calories and "sugar," diet soda isn't free of consequences. Here's the ugly truth: Diet soda can actually lead to obesity. The artificial sweeteners in diet soda can actually make you feel more hungry--so you end up eating more food. And many studies over the years have made the link between diet drinks, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. So why the mainstream isn't shouting it from the rooftops is beyond me. But the research continues to pour in. Which is why I certainly won't keep quiet until everyone hears the truth. The latest study took a long-term look at the effect of diet soda on the waistline. Researchers looked at data on 474 participants, all between the ages of 65 and 74. They recorded the participants' height, weight, waist circumference, and diet soda intake at baseline and at three separate follow-up exams over a 10-year period. Ten years later...those that drank diet soda had 70 percent bigger waists compared with those who didn't drink diet soda. And those who drank diet soda frequently had five times bigger waist circumferences than non-drinkers! And by "frequent" we're not talking 10 cans a day...no, this jaw-dropping result occurred in people drinkingjust TWO diet sodas a day. Do yourself a favor--switch to water. It's the best way to truly satisfy your thirst. Plus, it helps fill you up so you eat less. It helps flush out toxins and it keeps your bowels moving regularly. And water doesn't have to be boring. Add some cucumber slices and fresh mint to a pitcher of filtered water and keep it in your fridge. You'll feel like you're at the spa every time you refill your glass.