Does Soda effect you Cardio?

Ive heard this before and I drink alot of Diet Soda (im talking about 6 cans at night). Sounds strange but when I quit drinking alcohol this behavior replaced my old one. Im just wondering because I have a fight Friday Night and wondering if I should discontinue drinking carbonated beverages.

Thanks all

 

Ive heard this before and I drink alot of Diet Soda (im talking about 6 cans at night). Sounds strange but when I quit drinking alcohol this behavior replaced my old one. Im just wondering because I have a fight Friday Night and wondering if I should discontinue drinking carbonated beverages.

Thanks all

 

I have the same problem as you. Where did you hear this from? I could easily see how regular Soda could mess you up, but I though diet soda was basically carbonated water flavored with Aspartame...

 

I personally avoid them when training because the carbonation makes me feel bloated, and there's more useful things I can be drinking to help my body. With a meal from time to time I'll have a diet soda. My main thought on your situation is- Holy crap, 6 a day?!? Grab some control over that. You may find if you can get get control over that addiction, your will power may get stronger in other areas as well.

 

Yea I know its weird, when I used to have a jack on the rocks, now I train for 2-3 hrs. come home and drink soda after soda and feel anxious if I dont have something to drink, and I honestly dislike water (weird I know)

As far as whereI head about the cardio thing, Its kind of an old wrestling thing where they feel the carbonation somehow has a negative effect on oxygen intake or someother factor relating to cardio.

 

A diet soda every now and then won't hurt you but if you could cut 4 a day and add 20 oz. of water in their place, it'd probably help in general fitness. I know you say you hate water but if you try drinking it you'll probably grow to like it, especially if you add in some lemon juice.

 

I have no idea what to tell you about the your fight or not, for I am not old enough to compete for another 6 months! But I myself get real bad heartburn if I drink pop while doing anything exerting for some reason. I don't know if most people do or what, but I'd say if you feel it affecting you in your training then stop, but if not, who cares right? Good Luck Friday Man!

 

I remember hearing that before too. Something about the carbonation in the soda getting in your bloodstream and making you work twice as hard to get that carbon out of your system in addition to the carbon it's already transporting to your lungs to get rid of. Looking back it sounds like a load of crap. That being said, drinking soda is still not good for you, and I might get the urge to drink one every couple months but regret it afterward if I give in. Just a lot of nasty shit in there.

 

i have heard it increases lactic acid, although i have no reference

 

My gf who is a nursing student brought an interesting point up to me when I asked her she thought there was any validity to this rumor.

She said "If there was any proof that carbonation had an ill effect on your breathing overall cardiovascular system, wouldnt they band it from all elderly and people with respitory issues?"

This kind of makes sense, because if the effect was even minor someone with an inability to get oxygen to their blood normally would definitly be adversly effected by carbonated beverages, furthermore, if highschool wrestling coaches know about this, wouldnt most doctors, lung specialists?

An interesting thought, but I tend to believe the wrestling coach and think soda's zapping my lungs "F**k SODA!

 

I think that you're probably on to something here, and it's probably related to your alcohol habits. Alcohol is a really common means of medicating anxiety and it's also just a habit-forming thing in and of itself. The problem is that sodas don't even have the immediate anxiety-reducing effect that alcohol has. The sugar and (probably) the caffeine are going to increase that sensation of anxiety, and they're also going to increase your anxiety in general, thus making you crave more soda.

To be frank, one jack and coke is undoubtedly LESS unhealthy than six diet sodas.

As a practical note of advice, I suggest drinking club sodas when you get that craving. Really concentrate on reducing that dependence on the sugar, or the flavor, or what have you. It'll be good for you as a fighter and good for you as a person. Good luck.

 

Thanks alot, I discussed this matter with my boss who is a MD and he said there was some validity to it and it had to do with the bodies "respitory acidosis, and respitory alkalosis" as well excess carbonate in the system, this imbalance aids in hyperventilating. He also stated that is the reason people that take Litium carbonate (bipolar medication) cannot drink soda, because it increases the carbonate level causing hyperventilating.

Another point he brought up to me which is kind of contradictory but still provokes some thought is: "Why do people blow into a bag when they are hyperventilating?" Its to bring cabonate levels back up in the system. Im not sure how this falls into play with the rest, but the carbonate levels are still involved in the breathing system. Also as athletes (fighters) we often put ourselves in a state of hyperventialtion, so the carbonation could easily have an adverse effect.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

I don't have any objective data to back this up, but carbonation has an extremely negative effect on my cardio. It usually takes me 3 days to make up for one carbonated drink. I haven't had a soda in years, but I occasionally drink beer because I love it and I live in proximity of some of the finest micro breweries in Colorado, but I'll pay for it for days afterward. It works as a nice reward system, post fight.

 

Please stop drinking 6 diet sodas a day.

 

I think if you drink 1 can a day its not really going to affect your performance that much, but 6 cans thats basically 2 litres which is quite alot. I bet you dont drink 2 litres of water a day do you?

 

Cardio wise I don't see any possible way in which soda effects your cardio.


But of course there's always the sugar crashes you get which can lower your energy level...

 

Cardio wise I don't see any possible way in which soda effects your cardio.


But of course there's always the sugar crashes you get which can lower your energy level...

 

Damn, no wonder my cardio is shit..

 

Drinking six cans a night, yes. And its unhealthy for you.

Drinking 2 or 3 cans a day probably not.

replace 3 of those cans with water and I bet you'll feel a bit better.