Carbonation effects for advanced lifters info.

[Rich Knapp]

Carbonation
Carbonation is created by pumping carbon dioxide into water or other liquid. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of cellular and food metabolism, and as such the body wants to expel it. So you are in effect further adding a waste product to your body!

Carbonated beverages also burden the body by weakening stomach acid, thereby interfering with proper digestion. It neutralizes digestive enzymes – these enzymes are responsible for over 300 complex reactions in the body. Nutritional absorption is seriously compromised by a lack of these enzymes. In addition, minerals are better absorbed in a strong acidic base. Nitrates are also in most carbonated drinks, and they not only inhibit the absorption of nutrients, they cause calcium to be leached from the bones.

Since adding bicarbonate to the blood stream upsets the body's chemical balance, it is logical to assume that the common claim of carbonation effecting performance during athletics has some relevance. Athletes are often advised to refrain from drinking carbonated beverages when attempting to achieve optimal performance. Likewise, dieters are cautioned against consumption of carbonated beverages since they must get the maximum nutrient value from the foods they consume. If you are on a restricted eating program, you are already limiting yourself to only essential nutrients and you cannot afford to have deficiencies! Dieters can feel lethargic simply from the restriction of calories. Couple that with reduced absorption of vitamins and minerals and you may have even less energy!

Very well put.
Referance: Creator/Formulator of Quest Protein Bars, Shannan

THE EFFECTS OF CARBONATION ON YOUR HEALTH
by Steve Edwards

Concern over drinking carbonated beverages has been escalating in recent years. It’s rumored to inhibit athletic performance and has been linked to osteoporosis. But is there any truth to these rumors?

Carbonation in sodas comes from dissolving carbon dioxide in water, a process also used for sparkling waters. While many people seem to enjoy the effect of carbonation in their beverages, one can’t help wonder how this odd sensation affects the body.

Most of the carbon dioxide (CO2) is lost before the soda even reaches your mouth. Of that ingested, most (around 70%) is carried by the red blood cells in the form of bicarbonate. Since this is the natural bodily process of metabolizing carbohydrates, the effect of added CO2 is not drastic for the body to deal with.

Some studies in the early 1990’s suggested a link between carbonation and osteoporosis due to urinary excretion of calcium. However, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition disproved this claim showing instead that this was due more in part to caffeine in soda.

Further health claims, such as carbonation neutralizing stomach acids and impairing the breakdown and absorption of essential nutrients, seem to hold more validity. Since you are adding bicarbonate to the blood stream, it should somewhat upset the body’s chemical balance. For this reason, it’s logical to assume that the common claim of carbonation effecting performance during athletics has some relevance. While its effects are probably not great enough to worry about in general, it is certainly good protocol for athletes to refrain from drinking carbonated beverages when attempting to achieve optimal performance.

When it comes to soft drinks, carbonation can hardly be considered a concern since virtually everything else on most soda’s ingredient lists is more cause for concern. But since soft drinks are so unhealthy in general, this should be considered more fuel to the fire in your fight to avoid them whenever possible.

[swoleramon]

What about for me since I don't compete. Is a diet soda a day ok?

[Rich Knapp]

Originally Posted by swoleramon

What about for me since I don't compete. Is a diet soda a day ok?

This info is how it effects the body. Your body don't know if you compete or not. So its all up to you to use the info as you feel.

[BigFiveFive]

Sometimes I wonder about the effects of diet soda, maybe I could be performing better or look better gain/lose more weight if I didn't drink so much, but who knows lol.

I drink about 4-6 24oz bottles of diet pepsi a day, have for the last 17 weeks. Plus sugar free energy drinks, sugar free water-mixes, etc. I take a calcium +D supplement once a day with breakfast, fingernails grow like crazy and are nice and clear/whiteish.

I usually cut back a couple bottles when i get around 4-6 weeks from a show and drink about 1.5-2 gallons of water on top of the diet soda, but the water has sugar-free drink mix in it as well. Not a big fan of drinking plain ol water... never will be.

So for those of you who may be concerned about diet soda consumption while on a BBing/PL/whatever diet/lifestyle, just pay attention top how you feel and react to it. I do just fine drinking all of it. But im also used to it as well.

Ill prolly see some side effects of so much aspartame and all that garbage in like 50 years or so, but hey, gotta die someday.

[Fazc]

Originally Posted by BigFiveFive

So for those of you who may be concerned about diet soda consumption while on a BBing/PL/whatever diet/lifestyle, just pay attention to how you feel and react to it. I do just fine drinking all of it. But im also used to it as well.

Yeah.

Besides I think you have to draw the line somewhere. By following a good exercise routine, healthy diet and plenty of recovery will put you way ahead of most of the population in terms of health and strength.

Let's not go nuts.

[Rich Knapp]

See now I'm on th other end of the scale. I'm luck if I drink a diet soda. Yuck.

Bulk I used to mix a soda for the carbs with my post workout protein but by time I drink it all the carbonation is gone and its flat because I mix it pre workout.

I went to protein and fruit smoothies now. Even my next bulk I'll just add more fruit.

[BigTallOx]

Originally Posted by BigFiveFive

Sometimes I wonder about the effects of diet soda, maybe I could be performing better or look better gain/lose more weight if I didn't drink so much, but who knows lol.

Well I've answered that myself. I quit drinking diet coke almost 3 weeks ago. My performance has improved, I sleep better ( which means I recover better ), some of my issues that I thought were chronic ( hip issues ) are now all but gone. I don't know which is worse though the carbonation or the artifical sweeteners. I guess both are bad, and I hope I have the strength to stay away from both. It's a struggle.

Originally Posted by BigFiveFive

I usually cut back a couple bottles when i get around 4-6 weeks from a show

That's why I quit, I've got a strongman show saturday. I"m sure I'll be even more glad I quit after the show on saturday.

Originally Posted by BigFiveFive

I do just fine drinking all of it. But im also used to it as well.

But the think you've got to think about is how much better you could do without it.

[BendtheBar]

I have a glass of diet root beer every other night or so.

[BigTallOx]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I have a glass of diet root beer every other night or so.

Canned sodas are free at my work, as much as you can drink. I was drinking much more than a glass a day. I'm sure a glass every other night isn't a big deal, but for me a can of soda every so often starts turning into a can whenever I'm thursty, and eventually I end up stopping drinking water. The only way for me seems to be to just stop drinking diet coke all together. Sad but true I guess.

[BendtheBar]

I've done the same thing with soda in the past. One lead to two, two to three a day...

We don't really keep cans in the house so it makes things easier. Plus, if I drink too much after 6 pm I am up all night urinating, so I have auto-regulated intake.