It makes sense to replace a sugary soft drink with a calorie-free soft drink to optimize your child's health and promote a healthy weight. A Diet Pepsi once in a while will not harm the health of your child; however, you may want to think twice about making Diet Pepsi a staple in your child's daily beverage consumption.
Caffeine Content
Caffeine affects your kids, just as it does adults. Some children may be more prone than others to side effects such as anxiety, sleeplessness, upset stomach, headaches and lack of concentration. Caffeine is also a diuretic and therefore can contribute to dehydration. Although the United States does not have dietary guidelines for children regarding caffeine intake, Canada does. Canadian recommendations are no more than 45mg of caffeine per day, equivalent to the amount found in one soft drink.
Aspartame
A 12-oz. can of Diet Pepsi contains about 178mg of aspartame, an artificial sweetener. Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of aspartame in soft drinks, it still remains a controversy among professionals about whether aspartame is truly safe for health. After consuming aspartame, your child may complain of commonly reported symptoms such as a headache, dizziness or an upset stomach. One of the byproducts of aspartame is methanol, which can be harmful to the body.
Potential for Weight Gain
A study performed at the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2008 showed that diet sodas may deceivingly contribute to weight gain. Those who consumed more than 21 artificially sweetened beverages had an almost doubled risk of being overweight or obese than those who did not consume artificially sweetened beverages. Although more research is needed, it is thought that artificial sweeteners may actually contribute to overeating due to an altering of brain chemistry.
Phosphoric Acid
It is extremely important during childhood to promote the growth of healthy and strong bones. A 12-oz. can of Diet Pepsi contains 40mg of phosphoric acid, which promotes the leaching of calcium from your child's bones. With less calcium content in a bone, the likelihood of a fracture or a break is much greater. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes hydrochloric acid in your child's stomach. Hydrochloric acid is needed to digest food and also helps the body utilize ingested calcium.
References
- Pepsi: Diet Pepsi
- KidsHealth: Caffeine and Your Child
- Healthy Child Healthy World: Chemical Encyclopedia: Aspartame
- "Obesity"; Fueling the Obesity Epidemic? Artificially Sweetened Beverage Use and Long-Term Weight Gain; Sharon Fowler, et al; June 2008
- ABC News: Study: Artificial Sweeteners Increase Weight Gain Odds
- Family Education: Healthy Habits: Cut Back on Soft Drinks, Even Sugarless
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