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Is Diet Coke Ok For Diabetics


Can People With Diabetes Drink Coke Zero

Is Diet Soda Bad for you? Diabetes Doctor explains. SugarMD

The question: can diabetics drink coke zero is one that remains everyones tip of the tongue, which is battling with diabetes.

According to researchers, diabetics are free to take anything that normal people consume. Only the condition is, you have to balance your sugar level.

Having said this, coke zero health risks are not hidden from us. Fact is whatever you consume is not free from calorie, not even the coke zero. So, that means it is not healthy for you in the long run.

All of us know that the liver works as a chemical factory to break down the fat & filter any harmful chemical substances. When you consume something like coke zero, your liver tries to filter those foreign substances. The more time it spends to filter those liquids, the less time it gets to break down the fats.


This entire scenario undergoes more wear & tear then you can imagine. So, ultimately obesity hits you. No wonder, the obese person is more prone to develop type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, several people find that artificial sweeteners spike blood sugar levels too. Studies reveal this result varies from person to person. As we said earlier that coke zero contains no carbs, proteins,& fat therefore, it may put a little effect on the blood sugar of diabetics.

Another report claims it has neutral health effects. Then, what is the exact relation between diet coke and diabetes blood sugar level? Can diabetics drink diet coke?

Well, you will come to know everything in the next.

Drink Cows Milk Which Also Provides Protein And Calcium

Skim or low-fat milk is also a good beverage option, but it must be counted toward your carb total for a particular meal or snack, Basbaum says.


According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture , a cup of 1 percent milk also provides 305 milligrams of calcium, which accounts for about 23 percent of the daily value.

Be aware that nondairy milk options, such as almond milk, may have added sweeteners and flavorings. They also often lack the blood-sugar-stabilizing protein of cows milk.

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Water: The Gold Standard

While sugar substitutes are generally healthier than what theyre replacing, Benavides says water is still the best beverage of all.

Water is the gold standard of beverages, Benavides said. It has no calories, no carbs and goes with just about any meal.


If you find yourself getting tired of plain water, try infusing it with some fruit or fresh mint. Infused water is virtually calorie-free because the nutrients from infused fruit is negligible. However, sugar, calories and fiber can still be consumed if you eat the fruit itself.

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Does Coke Zero Raise Blood Sugar Levels

Coke zero doesn’t contain any sugar or calories in it. So taking coke zero for a short time like a can of it won’t raise blood sugar levels. Rather than having sugar or carbohydrate coke zero contains two artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners don’t raise the level of blood sugar but these may hamper your enamel of teeth.

The Top 5 Drinks A Person With Diabetes Should Avoid

Is Diet Soda Safe for Diabetes?

For people with diabetes, keeping blood glucose at safe levels is paramount. With much of a newly diagnosed persons focus often on shifting from eating unhealthy food to more healthy choices, beverages can be easily overlooked. Among the top drinks a person with diabetes should avoid, a common denominator exists: sugar. Soda and sweet tea might seem like obvious culprits, but other drinks can pack a sugary punch as well.

A single serving of many sugary drinks can contain the same amount of sugar as a plate of food. So, someone with diabetes could get 45 to 60 grams of sugar from a 20-ounce bottle of sweet tea but wouldnt get other nutrients otherwise gained from a balanced meal.


Ideally, people with diabetes shouldnt get sugars from beverages, said Priscilla Benavides, a registered dietitian and health educator with the Texas A& M Coastal Bend Health Education Center. This is because you can easily get more than a meals worth of sugar from one drink and not even know it.

Benavides says sugar-laden beverages can raise blood sugar above the recommended target range because our bodies absorb liquids more quickly than most foods. She adds that excess sugar creates a problem for a person with diabetes because sweet drinks are a fast-acting source of glucose that can lead to hyperglycemia when consumed. Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar and can cause serious complications, such as coma or death, if left untreated.

Also Check: Diabetic Eating Too Much Sugar

So The Next Time You Buy A Diet Soda Heres What You Should Check For:

People must check the content labels for aspartame and caffeine. They should restrict themselves from consuming these sodas. One drink once in a week or two weeks is fine, says Dr Shah.

The above article is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.


Diet Soft Drinks And Diabetes

As a general rule, people with diabetes wishing to have a soft drink will usually want to choose diet soft drinks over sugary versions.

Exceptions to this general rule are if someone with diabetes actively needs to treat or avoid low blood sugar levels developing as a result of medication such as insulin

The majority of diet drinks have no sugar and should not raise blood sugar levels.

However, it is worth checking the carbohydrate value on the packaging if you are unsure or are trying a new diet soft drink.

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Sweeteners In The Headlines

Not all diet sodas are created equal. The type of sweetener used can take a soda from OK to Noooope.

The concerning thing for people with diabetes is, some artificial sweeteners have been accused of messing with the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut, which might in turn affect appetite hormones and insulin sensitivity.

Sucralose: One study exposed this sweetener for its potential to raise blood sugar when carbs are consumed later on. Despite having minimal calories , sucralose caused a spike in insulin levels in subjects who did not regularly consume sucralose.

But the study only involved 17 subjects and the study authors admit that most of the studies conducted in humansdo not show changes in blood glucose, insulin or other gut hormone levels.

Acesulfame-k: This common sweetener has been linked to bacteria changes in the gut and weight gain in mice. Its worth noting these results were found inanimal studies and those same metabolic results are not seen in human subjects. This guy masquerades as Sunnett or Sweet One yep, that Sweet One.


But its not all bad news!

Benefits Of Diet Soda For Diabetes

Can Diabetics Drink Diet Soda

The benefits of switching to diet soda are that it contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than regular soda, and it may aid in curbing a sugar craving,” Hart says. The ADA says that you should avoid regular soda because one 12-ounce can have about 150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrates, which is about the same as eating 10 teaspoons of sugar. Along with other drinks like water and unsweetened tea or coffee, the ADA rates diet soda as a zero or very low-calorie drink.

Some diet sodas have added vitamins or minerals, but it’s not a silver bullet health drink. Also, while moving away from regular soda can certainly save you some calories, there is not much evidence that drinking diet soda helps people lose weight, the Mayo Clinic says.

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Diet Coke Health Study

According to The Framingham heart study, which is a long-term ongoing cardiovascular court study of residents of the city of Birmingham Massachusetts that began in 1948, drinking one can per day has been linked to obesity, increases risk of metabolic syndrome, increase his waist size, can impair blood sugar levels, and some people may experience high blood pressure or higher cholesterol levels. These factors may increase your risk for heart disease .


Diet Soda And Diabetes

Drinking a can of diet soda per day can increase up to 36% of risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome, according to a study done by the University of Minnesota. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of medical conditions, such as increased glucose levels, high blood pressure, large belly fat, raised cholesterol. It imposes high risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes etc.

Though diet soda doesnt contain sugar, it can still be risky for diabetics. It may be the sugar-free alternative to sugary soda. But it doesnt mean it can be a healthier choice. It is true that diet sodas have little or no calories and they are considered to be the better options for people with diabetes, it may not be healthy in some cases.

In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a recent study was conducted on 66,118 women for up to 14 years to keep an eye on beverages they drink. At the end, both artificially sweetened drinks and sugar-sweetened drinks found linked with Type 2 Diabetes.

Recent studies have also put emphasis on the strong connections of diet soda with factors relating to diabetes, such as metabolic syndrome and weight gain.

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Summary Of The Issues

Physicians often recommend switching to diet soda when providing dietary counseling for type 2 diabetes. However, while consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has a decidedly negative impact on glycemic control, the effect of artificially sweetened beverages is less clear. Theoretical concerns about ASBs effect on metabolic regulation include alterations of the composition of intestinal bacteria, reconditioning of the brain when faced with ASBs that are 200 times sweeter than sugar, and hypoglycemia caused by discordant insulin secretion when a sweet taste is present without a corresponding increase in serum glucose., Scientific studies about ASBs are often limited by reverse causality patients who are predisposed to gaining weight and who are facing increasing insulin resistance frequently will increase their consumption of ASBs to help manage these issues.

Why Drinking Coke Lowers Blood Sugar And Can Even Reverse Diabetes

Can Diabetics Drink Regular Soda

Keeping blood sugar levels in the range is a big challenge for every diabetic patient. To do this, you may have to remove the foods of your choice. Going with substitutes that are tasty & satisfying without spiking your sugar levels are a good option.

As a general rule, people with diabetes or prediabetes often opt for diet soft drinks over sugary versions. Hence a question arises: can people with diabetes drink coke zero?

Well, A range of diabetic drinks list is available in the market, which claims to be sugar-free and healthier. But, when it comes to proving the claim vs. reality, most of them fail to show positive results.

In this article, we are about to tell you everything: Is coke zero good for diabetics? Is coke zero bad for diabetics? Also, can diabetics drink soda?


Once you read this article, you will definitely know the facts regarding why drinking coke lowers blood sugar . Lets get started!

Table of Content

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Best Alcoholic Drinks For Diabetics Type 1 Or Type 2

Looking into the 11 best alcoholic drinks for diabetics type 1 or type 2 will hopefully put to rest the popular misconception that one with diabetes cannot consume alcohol. In fact, if you are diabetic, the guidelines for your alcohol consumption does not vary much from someone who is not. Typically one drink for women and two for men. Its more a matter of WHAT you are drinking, and here you will have a better insight into figuring out what alcoholic drinks are safe for diabetics. Now, this doesnt particularly mean you can drink as much as you want whenever you want. Hell, I cant even do that and I do not have diabetes. I do, however, know an alcoholic who is, and while she undeniably should be a bit more careful as to the amount of alcohol she consumes on such a regular basis, she certainly disproves the idea that diabetics cant have any fun when it comes to enjoying an adult beverage here and there. Again, its all a matter of knowing what are the best alcoholic drinks for diabetics.

DeymosHR/Shutterstock.com


Now, before I jump into the alcoholic drinks for diabetics list, Ive gotta share Jays article on the 12 Best Alcoholic Mixed Drinks for Diabetics. While she gives some great ideas on drinks for diabetics, Ill be focusing a bit more on the best liquor for diabetics. So, what alcohol can you drink if you have diabetes? Well, youre about to find out! Just ONE more thing I have to share with you before we get started .

Does Coke Zero Raise Blood Sugar

No, the aspartame did not impact blood sugar . Im wearing a CGM to test Ive got a post explaining what that means. Heres a look at when I drank the Coke and its impact. Note: it had been several hours since I had eaten anything and I was not particularly active. Ive found that I can mitigate blood sugar spikes in high carb foods by eating protein and fat prior to the carbs and if Im active I tend to utilize the carbohydrate very quickly. Neither of those elements were present so this was a good reading .

The represents the exact time I drank the Coke Zero Sugar. And as you can see, there was no significant impact to blood sugar.

My personal view: Coke Zero would not contribute to diabetes risk. There are confounding studies on both sides of that view. My take: studies that ask a question like do you drink diet soda are not going to be able to provide a full picture of all dietary decisions by participants not a fan.

In my N=1 study Coke Zero had no impact on blood sugar.


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Effects Of Coke Zero On Sugar Level Secrets Revealed

Cracking the first question: does drinking coke lower blood sugar?

Alright, we often find that people feel so thrilled to go with diet sodas. They think that their move will cut down on sugar. So, they can reduce the risk of obesity without hurting their cravings.

Unfortunately, coke zero cant stand on their claim & causing multiple complications in the long run.

The sweetener used in diet coke is the main concern. Thats being said, it is 200 times sweeter than the table sugar. So, companies use it less in amounts yet bring the desired taste.

However, our body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which appears in the bloodstream & raises the blood sugar level. Now, there arises no question regarding does coke zero raises blood sugar? We can say it as a neutral drink in this context.

Hence, it doesnt make any sense to continue with coke zero, thinking that it may not harm your health. The truth is, taking this kind of artificial sweetener & chemical blends can cause some serious health hazards.

Still, if you are wondering that: is coke zero OK for diabetes? Then, there is something interesting that we find out.

You may have come across several cockamamie websites where they claim that coke zero is FDA approved. But, recently, the FDA has banned coke zero throughout the Maharashtra states due to its artificial sweeteners. Though aspartame is safe at a permissible level, it can be harmful in large doses.

What To Drink When You Have Diabetes

Coke Stevia Review. A better choice for diabetics?

Your body is made up of nearly two-thirds water, so it makes sense to drink enough every day to stay hydrated and healthy.

Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices and smoothies all count.

We also get fluid from the food we eat, especially from fruit and veg.

Does it matter what we drink? Yes, particularly when it comes to fruit juices and sugary drinks you can be having more calories and sugar than you mean to because youre drinking them and not noticing.

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It Causes Weight Gain Instead Of Weight Loss

Diet soda is free of calories and it wont be helpful in weight loss at all. According to the researchers from the University of Texas, diet soda users had 70% of hike in weight gain over the course of a decade, when compared to non-drinkers.

Participants who took more than 2 drinks faced over 500% increase in weight. The artificial sweeteners play a great role in confusing your body. When you feel that you are not having any sweetened liquid calories, you might justify having pizza with extra cheese or double cheeseburger.

Having Diabetes Still Can Go With These Diabetic Foods List

There are some foods that can reduce your tension regarding your blood sugar. Even you can live without medication and control your diabetes with these foods. Now, its time to know about the foods that lower blood sugar instantly.

Glycemic index is a tool with which you can monitor which food is increasing your blood sugar. Foods with the low glycemic index are ideal for reducing blood sugar levels or preventing the rise of blood sugar. You can mix some high glycemic foods with the lower ones to balance your diet.

  • The foods rich in fiber or protein or fat such as vegetables, fish, bean, chicken, etc. have a low glycemic load.
  • Pumpernickel or stone guard whole wheat bread, sweet yams, some fruits, oats, garlic, nuts, tomatoes, plain yogurt, etc. can be the best supplements to lower blood sugar.

Some questions may arise in your mind regarding if these foods are really able to lower blood sugar or not. So now we are going to tell you the details of some foods. Well, most of the bread is enriched in carbohydrates. So, people with diabetes always avoid bread. But pumpernickel bread has a lower glycemic index so it can reduce or control the sugar level.

Fruits like blueberries, grapes, citrus fruits, apples are good for diabetics. Fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids work very fast to decrease the blood sugar level. A diabetic patient is highly forbidden to eat potatoes as they contain high carbohydrates.

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