Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. Obesity is largely to blame for this, and cutting calories may be a preferred way to lose weight, making diet colas a favorite choice. However, not only can diet colas combine with your medication to cause stroke, they can also cause an array of other health complications and concerns.
Stroke Risk
A report published in a 2011 issue of “HealthDay,” found that daily diet cola consumption increases your odds of getting a stroke by 61 percent. However, the cause of this increased risk is still unknown and more research is needed to make a definitive claim. In the meantime, Dr. Patrick Lyden of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles suggests limiting both diet and regular sodas to two or three a week.
Drug Interactions
Tyramine, found in caffeinated diet colas, can interact with antibacterial, anti-mycobacterial, antidepressant and anti-psychotic medications. This interaction can lead to a spike in blood pressure, which might cause a stroke. Caffeine also interacts with a number of other drugs, such as birth control pills, asthma medications and ephedrine. These interactions often increase the effects of caffeine, giving you a headache and causing jitteriness. If you are taking any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, discuss the potential of interaction with your doctor.
Artificial Sweeteners
Diet colas are sweetened with artificial sweeteners to keep the calorie count low. This prompts many people to opt for diet cola over regular cola in an attempt to stay thin. However, a study published in the June 2010 issue of “Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine” states that people who consume artificial sweeteners are more likely to gain weight than people who do not consume artificial sweeteners. If this weight gain pushes you into the range of being overweight, you are at an increased risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke, according to the Weight-Control Information Network.
Other Health Concerns
The calcium and phosphorus in diet colas might affect the way your body absorbs calcium. Without adequate stores of calcium, you risk osteoporosis and bone fractures. However, the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center reports that this effect can be minimized when your calcium intake is adequate. All the same, if you are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, you should limit your consumption of diet cola and talk to your doctor about your bone health.
References
- Medline Plus: Black Tea
- HealthFinder.gov; Can Diet Soda Boost Your Stroke Risk?; Kathleen Doheny; 2011
- National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center; Other Nutrients and Bone Health At A Glance; December 2004
- "Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine"; Gain Weight by “Going Diet?” Artificial Sweeteners and the Neurobiology of Sugar Cravings; Qing Yang; June 2010
- Weight-Control Information Network; Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight?; November 2004
- Food and Drug Administration: Avoid Food-Drug Interactions
