Caffeine...specifically soda during chemo? Yay or Nay?

justamy

i drink tons of diet soda...I've heard this is a no no during chemo but others say its OK...what do you think?

SpecialK

I think it is a no-no all the time, but it is a personal choice.  Here are some links with some info regarding the harmfulness of diet soda for the average person, but for someone on chemo the particular danger could be for the kidneys, as chemo drugs are filtered through them.  Also, the BPA, cell damage and tooth/bone problems could be issues - chemo can also damage teeth, and later hormonal therapy can deplete bone, and the BPA and cell damage speak for themselves.  The type of artificial sweetener in diet soda is also worrisome to me as it has been linked to cancer.  I am a coffee drinker, but did not consume much while on chemo because it just didn't taste right to me - I probably had one cup a day on average, and some days I didn't have any.  I have never been a diet soda drinker, but I know if it is a habit it can be a hard one to break.

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-diet-soda.html

http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/7-side-effects-of-drinking-diet-soda

ruthbru

I would eat and drink anything I wanted to (or could stand) during chemo, and worry about cleaning up the diet later. Soda didn't thrill me, but I sure ate a lot of mashed potatoes with butter and cheese when I was going through chemo!

vlnrph

I confess to a small cup of instant coffee every morning and 1-2 diet sodas daily but no caffeine after 3pm or I can't sleep. It also has a diuretic effect on the kidney which could be a problem during hot weather. You can become dehyrated without realizing it...

My usual go to beverage=good old water. l sometimes order iced tea (unsweet) or lemonade in a restaurant. We have also been trying flavored fizzy stuff like seltzer in an effort to avoid so many artificial additives: use it to dilute fruit juice

If your habit is "tons" it might be wise to cut back and experiment with more basic drinks. 

justamy

Thanks guys...I'll have to wean myself because I generally drink soda or tea with very little water in there. I know it's not good and maybe this will just help me switch over....at least half the time.

sbelizabeth

During chemo I completely lost my sweet tooth.  Anything sweet just curled my toes.  I quit diet soda cold turkey, and took up sparkling water with a twist of lime.  It's still my favorite guzzle. 

msphil

chemo made common things taste less for me, nothing tasted right, so I sort of played it by ear, or stomach, we are different, so talk with your docs. msphil(idc,stage2, 0/3 nodes,chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

Nancy2581

I used to drink diet coke all the time.  Gave it up cold turkey - mainly because it just doesn't taste good anymore.  

Nancy