Soft drinks are a favorite beverage of many Americans. The debate about whether regular or diet soft drinks are a better choice has been heated for many years. While neither regular nor diet sodas are necessarily healthy, the choice comes down to the lesser of two evils.
Popularity
According to the Family Gentle Dental Care website, the average American drinks more than 45 gallons of soda every year, whether it is regular or diet. That amount means Americans are drinking more soda than they are water or milk. Some Americans drink sodas only on special occasions, while many Americans drink several cans every day.
Ingredients
Regular and diet sodas both start with carbonated water. Additives present in both diet and regular drinks include caffeine, phosphorus and colorings. Regular sodas usually use high fructose corn syrup or sugar to sweeten the beverage, while diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners such as NutraSweet or Splenda.
Effects on Weight
The effects of regular and diet sodas on weight gain is an important comparison to consider. Family Gentle Dental Care says regular soft drinks have around 150 to 180 calories for a 12 oz. can. These calories can really add up, contributing to weight gain over time. Furthermore, the Harvard School of Public Health says the high fructose corn syrup in regular sodas can contribute to excess weight gain. While diet sodas don't contribute calories, the Harvard School of Public Health says the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may trigger cravings for sweet foods, which can cause weight gain if a person gives in to the cravings and eats more.
Bone Health
Another comparison to make is the effects of regular and diet sodas on bone health. The Harvard School of Public Health says regular and diet sodas both contain high levels of phosphates, which can strip calcium from the bones and lead to osteoporosis. They recommend limiting all sodas, whether regular or diet, and drinking plain water instead.
Dental Health
Regular sodas also have a significant impact on a person's dental health. Family Gentle Dental Care says people who drink three regular sodas a day have a 62 percent greater chance of dental problems such as cavities. The sugar in regular sodas eats away at teeth, yet diet sodas are also bad for the teeth. Family Gentle Dental Care explains that both diet and regular sodas are very acidic, and the phosphorus and citric acids can cause dental decay.
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