As a person that consumes embarrassing amounts of Diet Coke, I have to say that I found the following article quite interesting.After traveling around Europe, it is hard not to notice that their people seem less likely to be consuming “Diet Foods” yet also seem to be less likely to be “Over Weight”. I have never heard an American visit France and not return asking the question, "Why can the people of France eat rich cheese and Chocolate mouse and yet not have the same health issues that we do in the States?" "After all, we are the ones eating “Low Fat” this and “Diet” that."
Maybe this is a big part of the answer.
Metabolic Syndrome Is Tied to Diet Soda
The New York Times
Posted: 2008-02-07 14:01:41
Researchers have found a correlation between drinking diet soda and metabolic syndrome -- the collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels -- and elevated blood pressure.
The scientists gathered dietary information on more than 9,500 men and women ages 45 to 64 and tracked their health for nine years.Over all, a Western dietary pattern -- high intakes of refined grains, fried foods and red meat -- was associated with an 18 percent increased risk for metabolic syndrome, while a "prudent" diet dominated by fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry correlated with neither an increased nor a decreased risk.
But the one-third who ate the most fried food increased their risk by 25 percent compared with the one-third who ate the least, and surprisingly, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome was 34 percent higher among those who drank one can of diet soda a day compared with those who drank none."This is interesting," said Lyn M. Steffen, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota and a co-author of the paper, which was posted online in the journal Circulation on Jan. 22. "Why is it happening? Is it some kind of chemical in the diet soda, or something about the behavior of diet soda drinkers?"
Maybe this is a big part of the answer.
Metabolic Syndrome Is Tied to Diet Soda
The New York Times
Posted: 2008-02-07 14:01:41
Researchers have found a correlation between drinking diet soda and metabolic syndrome -- the collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels -- and elevated blood pressure.
The scientists gathered dietary information on more than 9,500 men and women ages 45 to 64 and tracked their health for nine years.Over all, a Western dietary pattern -- high intakes of refined grains, fried foods and red meat -- was associated with an 18 percent increased risk for metabolic syndrome, while a "prudent" diet dominated by fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry correlated with neither an increased nor a decreased risk.
But the one-third who ate the most fried food increased their risk by 25 percent compared with the one-third who ate the least, and surprisingly, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome was 34 percent higher among those who drank one can of diet soda a day compared with those who drank none."This is interesting," said Lyn M. Steffen, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota and a co-author of the paper, which was posted online in the journal Circulation on Jan. 22. "Why is it happening? Is it some kind of chemical in the diet soda, or something about the behavior of diet soda drinkers?"
It is naive not to recognize that the role that portion size, exercise and even sleep patterns play in the greater rate of obesity in the United States.
That said, it is getting harder and harder not to look at the liquid portion of our daily consumption. There is a growing chorus of voices singing a worrying tune about both
artificial sweeteners as well as high fructose corn syrup.
To see just how prevalent these ingredients are- go through the drink section of your local supermarket and read the labels.
The question is how look will it take for me to, not just reduce, but stop drinking all that Diet Coke?
That said, it is getting harder and harder not to look at the liquid portion of our daily consumption. There is a growing chorus of voices singing a worrying tune about both
artificial sweeteners as well as high fructose corn syrup.
To see just how prevalent these ingredients are- go through the drink section of your local supermarket and read the labels.
The question is how look will it take for me to, not just reduce, but stop drinking all that Diet Coke?
By Larry Lubell
UrbanBlog
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