Is Diet Sierra Mist Bad For You?
Also Known As: Sierra Mist Free
Short answer
Yes, Diet Sierra Mist is bad for you. In fact, you'd be better off sticking to regular Sierra Mist- GMO sugar and all.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Don't let the "diet" part in the name fool you - Diet Sierra Mist is not only dangerous to your health, it may very well even cause you to get off of any diet you are on. By looking at the nutrition label, you will see that it has no sugar, no fat, and is low in sodium. Sadly enough, you would be better off drinking a soda with fat, sugar, and sodium, than a soda with the following ingredients: carbonated water, citric acid, natural flavors, potassium citrate, aspartame, potassium benzoate, acesulfame potassium, ascorbic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, and MSG.
If you are on a diet, hopefully you have very strong willpower, as MSG inhibits the chemicals that tell your brain you are full, while acesulfame potassium (ace-K) causes cravings for sweet foods. The human mind is very good at rationalizing a slice of chocolate cake is okay, because the soda you drank said "diet" on it. Furthermore, both ace-K and aspartame are known carcinogens. Aspartame, specifically, forms formaldehyde when breaking down in your body. High amounts of aspartame can cause a wide range of side effects from neurologic symptoms, muscle spasms and headaches, to ringing in the ears, visual changes and systemic lupus. Aspartame is also dangerous for people who have phenylketonuria, which inhibits the ability to break down phenylalanine (found in aspartame).
The natural flavors found in Diet Sierra Mist are a bit of an unknown - but what is known is that they are not "natural" in the way most people would think. They are laboratory-produced flavorings and can legally contain excitotoxins (chemicals that keep your taste buds happy and coming back for more). Excitotoxins can lead to nerve disorders over time, and cause fatigue, migraines, and depression in the short-term.
Diet Sierra Mist also contains citric acid. When compared with some of the above-mentioned ingredients, it should be a lot less of a concern. High amounts of citric acid, however, can erode the tooth enamel over time. In serious cases, this can lead to the need for a root canal. With no nutrients, full of ingredients that can cause cancer and make dieting nearly impossible, and ingredients that are not very clear, Diet Sierra Mist certainly fails the test.
Possible short-term side effects
- sweet cravings
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may induce hunger
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migraines
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fatigue
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depression
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muscle spasms
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muscle aches / pains
Possible long-term side effects
- cancer
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tumors
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visual changes
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tooth erosion
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systemic lupus
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multiple sclerosis
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ringing in the ears
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- zero fat
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zero sugar
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low in sodium
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caffeine free
Healthier alternatives
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