I have not had a Diet Pepsi since January 1 of this year. However, it is something that I surely do miss from my old routines. What, exactly, are the negative effects of caffeine and/or diet sodas? Is there any reasons that I shouldn't have one a week or something like that?

Honestly, I am looking for reasons that I shouldn't, because I would like to give it up all together... :cool:

I've found that caffeine increases my cravings food when I'm not really hungry. Also, studies have shown that artificial sweeteners increase hunger.

I have 2 or 3 diet cokes a day and a few cups of coffee.

Look... in the grand scheme of things, whats some caffeine going to do to your bodybuilding progress?

If you are busting ass in the gym, eating clean, and resting adequatly then you BETTER be treatin' yourself to some calorie free caffeinated treats if thats what you desire!

The bodybuilding lifestyle is a strict one, but it doesn't require deprivation.

Also, caffeine in the abscence of sugars provides a fat burning effect...

BRobinson, are you referring to the study where they replaced coke with diet coke and the people compensated by eating more calories from other sources?

I have read that the sodium is bad - makes you hold water.

Also I heard the carbon depletes the blood of oxygen - purely heresay.

I always heard that the phosphorus in cola interfered with calcium absorption by your bones, but when I googled this, I couldn't find anything to confirm it. I found a nutrition site (http://nutrition.tufts.edu/research/jhcpan/consumers/soda_and_bones.html) that counters this belief, and this information from Coca Cola (http://www2.coca-cola.com/contactus/myths_rumors/ingredients_osteoporosis.html)

As with all things, keep in moderation and you'll be fine. I enjoy a diet cherry coke 2-3 times per week. I used to drink 3-6 cans of diet pop every day, until I just decided that had to be bad somehow!

All water and crystal light for me now.

I always drink a cup of coffee before any kind of physical activity. I feel like it helps give me an extra boost during lifting and cardio. Other than that I rarely take in any caffeine. At the very least it helps to bring my mood up if Im feeling a little down or tired. It never fails at that and I credit it for helping me resists the urge to skip workouts. I have read about professional runners who drink coffee before events as well.

Here is an article about caffeine and marathon running
Can caffeine help marathon runners? (http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=11324&sidebar=13&category=running)

Drinking coffe just before doing fasted cardio in the morning is actually very good if you want to boost fat burning. Dont know if it´s healthy. But if you want fast progress it´s a smart thing to do.

Regards!

BRobinson, are you referring to the study where they replaced coke with diet coke and the people compensated by eating more calories from other sources?


Actually, I was referring to something I remembered from back in the day reading news articles. Unfortunately I can't find the article or study write-up right now. Interestingly, I did find this:

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Oct 2002 v76 i4 p721(9)

Sucrose compared with artificial sweeteners: different effects on ad libitum food intake and body weight after 10 wk of supplementation in overweight subjects. (Abstract) Anne Raben; Tatjana H Vasilaras; A Christina Moller; Arne Astrup.

Conclusion: "Overweight subjects who consumed fairly large amounts of sucrose (28% of energy), mostly as beverages, had increased energy intake, body weight, fat mass, and blood pressure after 10 wk. These effects were not observed in a similar group of subjects who consumed artificial sweeteners."


I'll spend some more time seaching later if there is interest, but I'm late for class right now.

I've found that caffeine increases my cravings food when I'm not really hungry. Also, studies have shown that artificial sweeteners increase hunger.

Maybe different people reacts differently to caffeing and artificial sweetener. But I have to disagree with this one. In fact, after eating a meal and I'm still craving to eat more, I just sip a cup of coffee+artificial sweetener and it actually helps me with the craving. And caffeine is also considered a fat burner, right?

I haven't cut out diet drinks - seems to decrease my appetite when I have one, actually. I only have one diet coke or so a day but I also throw in some splenda sweetened fizzy water. :P