Is Diet Sierra Mist Bad For You?

Also Known As: Sierra Mist Free

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Short answer

Yes, Diet Sierra Mist is bad for you. In fact, you'd be better off sticking to regular Sierra Mist- GMO sugar and all.

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Recommended Alternative

Zevia Lemon Lime Twist

Zero calorie drink, no artificial sweeteners, sugar-free soda, refreshing citrus flavor, convenient 16oz cans

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Long answer

Don't let the "diet" part in the name fool you - Diet Sierra Mist is not only dangerous to your health, it may very well even cause you to get off of any diet you are on. By looking at the nutrition label, you will see that it has no sugar, no fat, and is low in sodium. Sadly enough, you would be better off drinking a soda with fat, sugar, and sodium, than a soda with the following ingredients: carbonated water, citric acid, natural flavors, potassium citrate, aspartame, potassium benzoate, acesulfame potassium, ascorbic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, and MSG.

If you are on a diet, hopefully you have very strong willpower, as MSG inhibits the chemicals that tell your brain you are full, while acesulfame potassium (ace-K) causes cravings for sweet foods. The human mind is very good at rationalizing a slice of chocolate cake is okay, because the soda you drank said "diet" on it. Furthermore, both ace-K and aspartame are known carcinogens. Aspartame, specifically, forms formaldehyde when breaking down in your body. High amounts of aspartame can cause a wide range of side effects from neurologic symptoms, muscle spasms and headaches, to ringing in the ears, visual changes and systemic lupus. Aspartame is also dangerous for people who have phenylketonuria, which inhibits the ability to break down phenylalanine (found in aspartame).

The natural flavors found in Diet Sierra Mist are a bit of an unknown - but what is known is that they are not "natural" in the way most people would think. They are laboratory-produced flavorings and can legally contain excitotoxins (chemicals that keep your taste buds happy and coming back for more). Excitotoxins can lead to nerve disorders over time, and cause fatigue, migraines, and depression in the short-term.

Diet Sierra Mist also contains citric acid. When compared with some of the above-mentioned ingredients, it should be a lot less of a concern. High amounts of citric acid, however, can erode the tooth enamel over time. In serious cases, this can lead to the need for a root canal. With no nutrients, full of ingredients that can cause cancer and make dieting nearly impossible, and ingredients that are not very clear, Diet Sierra Mist certainly fails the test.