Dr. Becky Maes - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Becky Maes

Is Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi Bad For You?


Grade

F


Short answer

While Pepsi may be taking steps to make their diet sodas slightly more healthy, Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi is still bad for you. This stuff should not be a regular part of one's diet.

Grade

F

Recommended Alternative


Long answer

The aspartame found in Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi was a significant problem for many consumers. A substitute for sugar, aspartame makes food products sweeter but comes with a long list of side effects from muscle aches to triggering multiple sclerosis symptoms. In the summer of 2015, Pepsi ditched aspartame and swapped it out for a mixture of sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Unfortunately, sucralose and acesulfame potassium aren’t exactly healthy ingredients either. Sucralose, sold as the artificial sweetener Splenda, has been shown to have a negative effect on metabolism which leads to weight gain and can even cause your body to reject certain medications. Acesulfame potassium comes with its own negative effects, often causing nausea, headaches, and dizziness in exchange for its sweetening effect.

While you may feel like downing a can will satisfy your sweet tooth, the opposite may be true. The sweetness of the drink can set off a craving that will leave you wanting more. This often leads to overeating, reaching for sugary snacks, and refueling with more soda. Many dieters choose diet sodas because of the lack of calories and absence of sugar. In fact, the drinks most likely cause a lot more harm than good for those who are interested in losing weight, especially around their midsection.

Aside from the artificial sweeteners found in the drink, there are plenty of other reasons to steer clear of Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, and soda in general. Anyone with a concern about their dental health or appearance should be aware that the acid found in soda does a huge amount of damage to tooth enamel which leads to decay. This phosphoric acid has also been linked to loss of bone density, kidney stones, and kidney disease. Not to mention the caramel color found within the beverage, which is only there for aesthetic purposes, has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. 


Possible short-term side effects

  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • blurred vision
  • gastrointestinal discomfort

Possible long-term side effects

  • weight gain
  • cardiovascular disease
  • diabetes
  • cancer
  • kidney stones
  • kidney disease
  • loss of bone density
  • tooth decay
  • inflammation
  • cravings and addiction

Ingredients to be aware of


Healthier alternatives

Our Wellness Pick (what is this?)

Zevia Cherry Cola

  • Zero Calorie
  • No Artificial Sweeteners
  • Caffeine-Free Option
  • Non-GMO Project Verified
  • 24 Pack of 12oz Cans
Learn More!



Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 01-29-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 01-29-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023




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