Just how bad are sugar free drinks?

[Feathers]

I understand that (some? all?) sugar-free drinks may still be bad for type 2: the fake sugar still triggers an insulin response, and can thus build up insulin resistance, right?

But: since about mid-March, I have quit all refined sugars (cakes, chocolate etc.). I have massively reduced carbs (not full keto, but properly low carb - about 70-80g a day). I am losing weight slowly but steadily. I am walking more. I have also quit alcohol. Oh, and I've been vegetarian for years. I make very few exceptions to this - basically only if it's a social thing. And even then, I at least stay away from refined sugar and alcohol.

Mostly, I feel very good. My energy is good, my brain is clearer. And my fasting fingerprick tests are great.

Sometimes, I feel really, ah, well to put it politely, annoyed.

I would really like to have SOMETHING that I can have as a treat - whether it's as a nice cold drink at the end of a long day, something to drink in place of beer when watching the football, or something a bit fun to have when I'm in a long tech or gaming session.

If diet drinks are really going to be harmful then I won't have them (I'm not quitting chips and chocolate just to undermine my effort with pepsi max!) But if it's not such a big deal, maybe this is the 'naughty' thing I can allow myself??

 

[Drummer]

I have not found any difference between days when I drink coffee and days when I drink sugar free coke and other flavours - even if mixed with rum or vodka - but I add very little alcohol and would have maybe 1/3rd of a pint of the fizzy stuff at any one time.

 

[Feathers]

I have not found any difference between days when I drink coffee and days when I drink sugar free coke and other flavours - even if mixed with rum or vodka - but I add very little alcohol and would have maybe 1/3rd of a pint of the fizzy stuff at any one time.

Thanks!
I guess I should clarify: I don't think they're raising my sugars immediately (my fingerprick tests suggest they're fine for that) but I was wondering if they could really make insulin resistance much worse over time, and thus make things worse long term.

 

[trophywench]

I think you are worrying about this unduly. Providing you aren't going to drink several litres of it every single day of your life - I shouldn't think it will harm you whatsoever. Obviously I'm not a doctor - but it would be weird if after 20 years of being active on diabetes forums practically every day I'd never ever seen anyone tell me that it has been cited as affecting them that way - you'd think someone might have mentioned it, were it honestly a 'thing' wouldn't you?

Meanwhile I've been drinking Diet tonic in my gin since 1972 ......

 

[Drummer]

Thanks!
I guess I should clarify: I don't think they're raising my sugars immediately (my fingerprick tests suggest they're fine for that) but I was wondering if they could really make insulin resistance much worse over time, and thus make things worse long term.

I suspect that other things are dealing with insulin resistance year on year, and if there is a problem with artificial sweeteners, it is not something powerful enough to withstand the general improvement.

 

[Feathers]

Delighted with these answers Thank you folks!

 

[Lucyr]

i've never seen any effect, if it's not affecting your fingerpricks i'd just start drinking them again

 

[nonethewiser]

Not type 2 but have drank diet drinks for last 40 years, there's lot of scare stories about artificial sweetners most of it just rubbish.