Diet Coke Addiction

I just came across an article about a Diet Coke addict.   This is a woman of 42 who was worried about her weight and was told by her GP to replace her favourite full-fat Coke to a Diet Coke.  She managed to lose weight but in the process became addicted to the Diet Coke.  With drinking 50 cans a day and being a single mother this was very costly.  She has reduced this amount to 30 cans a day but has now pleaded for help since the Diet Coke clearly has affected her health. 

 

She now is suffering from headaches and began hallucinating and seeing strange things like oranges flying across the room and has realised that she needs help with this addiction.

Told by her GP that there was nothing he could do she sought out a Nutritionist who suggested Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to tackle the addiction.  This Nutritionist explained that there is a serious risk to this woman’s health.  The Phosphoric Acid contained in the drink could damage her bones.  As these drinks also contain Caffeine, this can stop the body from absorbing the necessary iron.  The sweetening ingredient aspartame could also lead to premature birth and even cancer although these findings were refuted by the EU food watchdog.  

Still, any addiction and over-use of food or drink, even water, is harmful to the body.

Source:  James Tozer, Daily Mail, Saturday 22.02.2014