The lack of sugar and calories in diet soda has offered diabetics an alternative to other no-calorie beverages, such as unflavored water. Though diet soda doesn't elevate blood sugar levels, it has been labeled as a contributor to diabetes because of its connection with other contributing factors, such as weight gain. Though diet soda will not directly raise your blood glucose levels, it is still subject to portion control.
Type 1 versus Type 2
There are two main forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetics cease to produce insulin usually in adolescence, requiring them to use insulin pumps or daily injections for administration of this essential hormone. Type 2 diabetics produce insulin; however, their cells do not respond to it. With a mild case of type 2 diabetes, physical activity and a healthy diet will help you control your blood glucose levels. Some cases of diabetes are more severe and require oral medication to once again sensitize cells to insulin. If type 2 diabetes is left untreated or improperly managed, your pancreas will eventually stop producing insulin; you will require multiple insulin injections daily or an insulin pump.
A1C Levels
A1C blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes or to determine how well you have managed your blood glucose levels. A1C tests, which are also called glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C and HbA1c, show how much of the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin is covered with sugar. High A1C percentages indicate poor blood glucose management.
Artificial Sweeteners
Diet sodas do not elevate blood sugar levels because they are sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as NutraSweet, Equal or Splenda. Because artificial sweeteners contain approximately zero calories, they help diabetics reach their weight-loss goals, control their blood glucose levels and prevent dental cavities. Though artificial sweeteners were once linked to cancer and other conditions, many research studies have found them to be safe when consumed in moderation.
Scientific Support
In 2011, the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" published a study that investigated the incidence of diabetes development when consuming sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened sodas. Researchers followed 40,000 men for 20 years and found no direct link between diet soda consumption and the development of diabetes when confounders, or variables that may affect study findings, such as body mass index and diet, were accounted for.
References
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men; L. Koning, V. Malik, E. Rimm, et al.; March 23, 2011
- "Annals of Epidemiology"; Beverage Intake, Diabetes, and Glucose Control of Adults in America; T. Mackenzie, B. Brooks and G. O'Connor; September 2006
- George Mason University: What are Confounding Factors and How Do They Affect Studies?
- MayoClinic.com; Artificial sweeteners: Understanding these and other sugar substitutes; October 2009
- MayoClinic.com; A1C test; January 2011
