Which Diet Soda is Scientifically the Best for You?

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Introduction

Diet Drinks, Classic Soda, and Poppi all have people arguing they’re the best: best for your gut, best for your health, or best for your soul.

Walking down the soda aisle will introduce a dizzying quantity of options, but which one will make it to check out (or self-checkout)? Science, studies, and personal experience offer some guidance for your soft drink selection.

Diet Soda’s History

Diet soda was first created in 1952, with the brand No-Cal promising to satisfy your sweet tooth without the sugar. Americans were hooked, and the Diet Soda industry has had an ever-growing presence in supermarkets and convenience stores since.

The Aspartame Debate

Recently, the industry has been under scrutiny due to the primary sweetener in most beverages: aspartame. This seemingly glorious sugar substitute is not without a pitfall, though. The World Health Organization has linked aspartame to cancer, deeming diet sodas to be possibly carcinogenic, depending on the source.

Diet soda is still widely consumed, and although consumers believe it may not detract from their health, it certainly doesn’t contribute to it. The sullied reputation of aspartame has made a new category for soda, and there are plenty of buyers.

Prebiotic Soda

Prebiotic soda – full of fake claims or a solution to tummy trouble – is everywhere. Coming in flavors like Orange Cream and Lemon Lime, these sodas not only taste good, but promise a glorious solution to common stomach issues.

Filled with prebiotics (indigestible dietary fibers), these beverages claim to boost gut health, helping to reduce bloating and meet your fiber goals.

However, pastel prebiotics may not be necessary, as simple whole foods also nourish the gut microbiome.

“Really, if people are concerned about their microbiome, they need to eat vegetables,” Dr. Nestle (a professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University) said. “Vegetables would do wonders.”

So, while Poppi & co may not be the quick fix they promised, they likely won’t do any harm either. And if they help you satisfy your soda craving without the sugar, then go ahead and sip; it can’t hurt!