Ella Scott
Diet fizzy drinks, often marketed as ‘healthier’ alternatives to full-sugar sodas, may be harming our bodies more than we first expected by causing a dangerous mineral deficiency.
According to statistics published earlier this year, a whopping 74 percent of soft drinks consumed in 2024 were diet versions.
While this may be directly related to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), their appeal as low-calorie alternatives, or a result of solid celebrity endorsement, it’s undeniable that people are utterly obsessed with guzzling the good stuff.
But it turns out too much of this ‘healthy’ drink isn’t so great for our bodies.
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A previous study has discovered that kidney function declined over two decades in women who drank several diet sodas a day, while Zoe Health reported that too much of the diet beverages may lead to gut symptoms, including bloating and diarrhoea.
"Many drinks marketed as healthy or low-calorie may contain ingredients that can be harmful to the body over time," explained Dr. Don Thushara Galbadae, an associate professor of applied health sciences at Texas Christian University.
"Understanding their real effects helps consumers make informed decisions and avoid nutrient imbalances or metabolic disruptions."
Another issue that experts have warned consumers about is the possibility of hypocalcemia - a medical condition that happens when the level of calcium in your blood is too low.
According to another expert, diet sodas may make it more difficult for your body to absorb calcium from dairy products like milk and cheese, as well as some vegan alternatives, leafy green vegetables, and almonds.
Speaking to The Herald, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, the chief medical advisor for Sleepopolis, said that this major health issue is down to the inclusion of phosphoric acid, an inorganic compound, in some diet drinks.
Phosphoric acid is often used in the food industry as a flavouring, preservative, and acidity regulator, according to researchers at Vedantu.
This acid can not only make it more difficult for your body to absorb calcium, but it may even pull calcium out of your bones, Dr Dasgupta admitted.
"People who drink a lot of diet soda often drink less milk or water," Dr. Dasgupta says.
"That means they may get less calcium overall and miss out on drinks that help keep minerals in balance. Over time, this can lower calcium levels and harm bone health."
Additionally, some of these so-called healthier alternative sodas may contain caffeine, thus making you urinate more frequently.
Small traces of calcium can be lost in your urine, noted the expert.
Frequent urination can become extremely problematic if you’re already low on calcium, potentially putting you at risk for issues like broken bones.
Other issues that drinking diet sodas on the regular can cause include interfering with the body's ability to activate vitamin D in the liver and the kidneys, and negatively affecting your gut health.
If you’re a serial diet pop drinker, then you may want to be aware of the symptoms related to low calcium levels.
As outlined by the Cleveland Clinic, mild side effects include dry, scaly skin, muscle cramps, and brittle nails.
If low calcium levels are left untreated for a long period of time, you may begin to experience psychological issues such as confusion and memory problems.
There’s also the possibility of developing depression, hallucinations, and experiencing irritable moods more frequently.
Severe hypocalcemia can cause muscle aches, seizures, and congestive heart failure.
Contact your local health provider as soon as possible if you think you’re at risk.