If you enjoy the taste of an ice-cold soda but would like to stay away from the calories, you may resort to diet soda. Food additives and carbonation found in diet soda can increase gas in your digestive system. This can result in pain, cramping, bloating and in rare cases, bloody stool. Those with allergies to food additives as well as irritable bowel syndrome suffers are more likely to experience problems while drinking diet soda. If you experience bloody stool or digestive problems, consult your physician.
Aspartame
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American indicates that aspartame -- also referred to as Nutrasweet -- is a calorie-free sweetener. Aspartame is used in many diet sodas to give them their flavoring.For individuals with an allergy or low tolerance to aspartame, you may develop digestive problems. Aspartame is FDA approved and safe for consumption. Those with an allergy or low tolerance may experience stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Diet Soda and Gas
Diet soda contains carbonation, which can increase the amount of air found in your digestive system. Consuming large amounts of diet soda can lead to sharp stomach pains and increased gas. Gas can cause a feeling of fullness, cramping as well as pain. Gas is usually the result of undigested carbohydrates interacting with bacteria in your colon. Gas is a normal part of digestion, but should not cause you extreme pain. According to MayoClinic.com, gas can normally be alleviated by passing gas or belching. Severe gas should be examined by a physician.
Diet Soda and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a digestive condition that causes pain, mucus in the stool, diarrhea, cramping and constipation as the result of eating. MayoClinic.com indicates those with IBS may develop stomach cramping while drinking soda. Soda may be a trigger food for some IBS suffers. Trigger foods can cause symptoms of IBS to occur. If you have received a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, avoiding foods that cause symptom flare-ups, including soda, can help prevent stomach issues.
Considerations
If you experience bloody stool, always consult your health care provider. This could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. If you experience hives, bloody stool, severe pain, fever, dizziness, shortness of breath, are vomiting blood or have severe diarrhea after drinking diet soda, seek emergency medical care. This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction to aspartame. If you doctor suspects an allergy to aspartame, a control study may be conducted to positively determine your allergy.
