Move over Folgers: Is soda the new breakfast drink?

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Jan 16th 2007 8:00AM

Think breakfast beverages, and coffee or orange juice probably comes to mind -- but what about soda? According to a consumer research firm based out of New York City, soda consumption for breakfast has almost doubled over the last 15 years. Given, they only took into account sodas taken with a meal (i.e. Starbucks didn't factor in) -- but people are ordering pop with their eggs and pancakes 15.1 percent of the time today, vs. 7.9 percent back in 1990.

Although most sodas contain some level of caffeine, the average is only about half what's in a similar-sized cup of coffee. So if it's not for an extra energy boost, what's the draw? Die-hard morning soda drinkers seem to get a kick out of the cold, tingly, refreshing factor of drinking down a Coke, vs. the warming action of coffee, first thing in the morning.

To each his own, just beware the calorie attack.

Source

Comments (73)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Tim UF 1-16-2007 @ 10:16AM

coffee with a bit of creamer and sweetnlow has got to be a better option than a pepsi for a morning pick me up, Right?

steve 1-18-2007 @ 2:11PM

I can't believe your positions on what is good for you and what is not! Soda in the morning? Are you kidding? Your only comment is to watch out for the calories? What about the sugar, carbonation, ect? It's like you want to get people to get sick And now beer is beneficial? What next...crack cocaine? You people are dangerous...and just contributing to the decline of health in America with your idiotic columns~!!
Steve

BILL 1-22-2007 @ 6:11AM

There is nothing like Diet Coke and eggs /cereal for
breakfast.
I replaced coffee 28 years ago.

monica pifer 1-22-2007 @ 6:38AM

I HATE COFFEE AND THERE IS NOTHING BETTER TO ME THAN A COKE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING..... IT REALLY ISNT THE CAFFEINE...IT HAS TO BE THE TINGLY FEELING....AND THE SUGAR OF COURSE......VERY EASY TO GET ADDICTED TO.....HEALTH CONCERNS::::WELL, I WATCH WHAT I EAT AND DRINK..BUT YOU CAN WATCH EVERYTHING YOU EAT AND COUNT YOUR CALORIES UNTIL THE COWS COME HOME BUT YOU ARE GOING TO DIE SOMETIME FROM SOMETHING...YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIVE FOREVER......GOD BLESS.........

Mary Morley 1-22-2007 @ 5:15PM

I don't find this completely surprising, as I've tried this more than once. It's nice on really hot days, and sometimes the tingly bubbles are more refreshing than hot coffee.

Kat 1-22-2007 @ 7:00AM

Amazingly enough, some of us actually don't LIKE coffee! I tried it several times, had to do so much doctoring to it to make it palatable that I just gave up, so yes, I'm a soda drinker in the morning!

An additional "benefit" is that I'm not sitting around waiting for it to brew... just open the bottle, pour, WALA, instant breakfast drink.

As for the calorie concern, one. Diet soda has less calories than coffee.

Now, back to my breakfast drink!

Lee 1-22-2007 @ 7:05AM

My Favorite Breakfast.....quick AND fairly healthful:

A mini (plain) Sara Lee bagel, toasted; sprayed with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter"; spread with 1 Tablespoon (divided) Creamy Jif Peanut Butter; accompanied by a can of Diet Coke.

A tasty combination!

(My other option would be Orange Juice; I dislike coffee and tea!)

Webguyster 1-22-2007 @ 7:30AM

I will pass on the diet Coke...

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It was discovered by accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug.

Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr John W. Olney and Consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974 as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:(2) Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," by James and Phyllis Balch, lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison." As you shall see, that is exactly what it is.

What Is Aspartame Made Of?

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Aspartic Acid (40 percent of aspartame)

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a professor of neurosurgery at the Medical University of Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing the damage that is caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from aspartame. Blaylock makes use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid (about 99 percent of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is glutamic acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.(3)

How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage

Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite" or stimulate the neural cells to death.

Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.

The blood brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins, 1) is not fully developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when intact.

The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75 percent or more) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to excitatory amino acid damage include:

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
ALS
Memory loss
Hormonal problems
Hearing loss
Epilepsy
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Hypoglycemia
AIDS
Dementia
Brain lesions
Neuroendocrine disorders
The risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with certain chronic health problems from excitotoxins are great. Even the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), which usually understates problems and mimics the FDA party-line, recently stated in a review that:

"It is prudent to avoid the use of dietary supplements of L-glutamic acid by pregnant women, infants, and children. The existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e., elevated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and individuals with affective disorders."(4)

Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid.

The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those reactions include:(5)

Headaches/migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pains
Fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain)
Sleep problems
Vision problems
Anxiety attacks
Depression
Asthma/chest tightness.
One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to combat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage. Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are concerned about excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSG.

A few of the many experts who have spoken out against the damage being caused by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental psychologist specializing in research design. Another is Olney, a professor in the department of psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of mice.)

Phenylalanine (50 percent of aspartame)

Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood. Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of seratonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame.(6)

Even a single use of aspartame raised the blood phenylalanine levels. In his testimony before the U.S. Congress, Dr. Louis J. Elsas showed that high blood phenylalanine can be concentrated in parts of the brain and is especially dangerous for infants and fetuses. He also showed that phenylalanine is metabolised much more effeciently by rodents than by humans.(7)

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published the "Wednesday Journal" in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.(8)

As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring phenylalanine buildup in the brain were flawed. Investigators who measured specific brain regions and not the average throughout the brain notice significant rises in phenylalanine levels. Specifically the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus striatum areas of the brain had the largest increases in phenylalanine. Blaylock goes on to point out that excessive buildup of phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make one more susceptible to seizures.

Therefore, long-term, excessive use of aspartame may provid a boost to sales of seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures.

Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison) (10 percent of aspartame)

Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. Some people may remember methanol as the poison that has caused some "skid row" alcoholics to end up blind or dead. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounter the enzyme chymotrypsin.

The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g., as part of a "food" product such as Jello).

Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolites are toxic." They recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.(9)

Symptoms from methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioral disturbances, and neuritis. The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage, and blindness. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects.(10)

Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans. As pointed out by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte, director of the food science and nutrition laboratory at Arizona State University, "There are no human or mammalian studies to evaluate the possible mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of methyl alcohol."(11)

He was so concerned about the unresolved safety issues that he filed suit with the FDA requesting a hearing to address these issues. He asked the FDA to "slow down on this soft drink issue long enough to answer some of the important questions. It's not fair that you are leaving the full burden of proof on the few of us who are concerned and have such limited resources. You must remember that you are the American public's last defense. Once you allow usage (of aspartame) there is literally nothing I or my colleagues can do to reverse the course. Aspartame will then join saccharin, the sulfiting agents, and God knows how many other questionable compounds enjoined to insult the human constitution with governmental approval."(10) Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of the FDA, Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages, he then left for a position with G.D. Searle's public relations firm.(11)

It has been pointed out that some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, however, that methanol never appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts. Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans.(9) The troops of Desert Storm were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages, which had been heated to over 86 degrees F in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of aspartame such as DKP (discussed below) may also have been a factor.

In a 1993 act that can only be described as "unconscionable," the FDA approved aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to above 86 degree F (30 degree C).

Diketopiperazine (DKP)

DKP is a byproduct of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the occurrence of brain tumors. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitrosated in the gut, produced a compound that was similar to N-nitrosourea, a powerful brain tumor causing chemical. Some authors have said that DKP is produced after aspartame ingestion. I am not sure if that is correct. It is definitely true that DKP is formed in liquid aspartame-containing products during prolonged storage.

G.D. Searle conducted animal experiments on the safety of DKP. The FDA found numerous experimental errors occurred, including "clerical errors, mixed-up animals, animals not getting drugs they were supposed to get, pathological specimens lost because of improper handling," and many other errors.(12) These sloppy laboratory procedures may explain why both the test and control animals had sixteen times more brain tumors than would be expected in experiments of this length.

In an ironic twist, shortly after these experimental errors were discovered, the FDA used guidelines recommended by G.D. Searle to develop the industry-wide FDA standards for good laboratory practices.(11)

DKP has also been implicated as a cause of uterine polyps and changes in blood cholesterol by FDA Toxicologist Dr. Jacqueline Verrett in her testimony before the U.S. Senate.(13)

Janelle 1-22-2007 @ 7:29AM

I am a die hard Dr Pepper fan i guess i am in the minorty that hates coffee i tried it ...tried to doll it up with flavors and nothing compares to a good ol DP in the morning

dee 1-22-2007 @ 7:31AM

voila, moron #5

Donna 1-22-2007 @ 7:35AM

Oh my I'm a trend now...I've been drinking Diet Coke for about 20 years every morning. I do not like coffee and a love cold, carbonated drink in the morning. As long as you drink diet the calories are not a factor plus it has less caffeine than coffee and trust me it cost less than a cup of starbucks.

Enjoy

Viv 1-25-2007 @ 11:07PM

I got started with Cherry RC before school when I was 15. I am 39 now and I usually drink a Zero Coca Cola in the morning. I crave the taste and usually a bit cross if I don't get one. I have tried numerous times to quit but I am hell on two legs for about 2 weeks .

IAGISHAMISHA SMITH 1-22-2007 @ 7:46AM

I GONE DONE DINK DAT DIS BE A WELL THING TO DO. i'S MEAN, 7/11 COFFEE SUCKS! WE BE ALL DOIN OUR RIGHTNESS AND WHO DONE CARE IF WE BE DRINKIN COKE FOR BREEK FEST

Mel 1-22-2007 @ 8:15AM

Well for me the aspartame gives me a headache and the sugar makes me sleepy. So basically I stick to a good ole cup of java in the morning with cream and no sugar. But hey each to his own. Why do us humans always have to put down someone who does things different then the rest? Why can't we accept the fact people have different taste and need? Owell, everyone have a great morning and enjoy.

Jenn 1-22-2007 @ 8:40AM

I prefer coffee for breakfast, but I hate most fast food coffees, they taste burnt and bitter to me (like Starbucks does), and I need some sort of caffeine in the morning. Tea doesn't cut it when I am first waking up. Unless I am at Dunkin' Donuts or a real sit-down
restaurant, I order soda now. It's not my first choice, but at least
I'm getting some sort of caffeine buzz without that horrible taste.

Lloydgibb 1-22-2007 @ 9:35AM

Coke or other sodas in the morning is not so new. In Latin America, it was called Cafe Gringo, and Coca en la manana was a slogan. Before grimacing over the sugar content or carbonation, just recall that many people take sugar in their coffee, and some even began their day with an Alka-Seltzer! The carbonation can help one feel better by clearing/breaking up some bubbles in the stomach, left there by last nights dinner! My personal favorite is Dr Pepper for breakfast; fizzy and fruity! Local dining tradition is always viewed as aberrance in other cultures. Tea drinking contries think we are crazy for drinking that foul coffee! But then they eat fried rice for breakfast; Eeeeeeeeuw, yeach! Worse than corned beef hash (think Prince of Tides!) for breakfast!

tom 1-22-2007 @ 8:43AM

Looks like I was way ahead of my time. I am 53 years old and for about 35 years I have downed a coke as soon as I got out of bed in the morning. It's especially nice if it is a coke in an ice cold "glass bottle". Love it for breakfast!!!!!

Brian 1-22-2007 @ 9:00AM

I agree. I've been drinking soda/soft drinks for breakfast for years. I'm in my late 30's and I think my generation (Gen. X) is the one that really started this trend. It seems like the older generations always preferred coffee, and now the younger (Gen. Y) crowd likes "trendy" coffee again (like Starbucks). But people my age, who grew up in the 80's seem to be the ones who prefer soft drinks over coffee for breakfast.
Anyway, I know I sure do. I hate the taste of coffee and always have. And even more than the taste, I simply just don't like anything hot to drink. I never have. I put ice in everything I drink (even milk and juice). I do like tea, but it has to be iced tea and VERY sweet with real sugar. (Hey, I am from the South after all).
And to the people who complained about how unhealthy and horrible the sugar, carbonation, etc. is. Guess what? "I DON'T CARE!!!" It's my body, my decision, so do what you wish, but butt out of my life. We're all gonna' die of something someday anyway. I'd much rather go with a smile on my face eating a Big Mac, fries, and Soda at age 70, than to lsuffer to age 90 eating oats, spinach, and carrot juice.
So to the health nuts, I quote what Eddie Murphy said in one of his famous comic sketches where he imitated Bill Cosby; "Have a Coke and a Smile and shut the f*** up".

sharon 1-22-2007 @ 8:58AM

diet Dr. P is always my breakfast, lunch and dinner drink of choice, sometimes I do have tea sweetened with splenda or sweet n low. Without the sugar I don't have dizzy spells, pass out in the floor, etc. My body can't handle sugar.

Meg 1-22-2007 @ 9:02AM

I've been drinking about a dozen diet pepsis a day for about 20 years, plus I put 7 or 8 packets of equal in my food (cereal,
yogurt, etc) most days (I have a sweet tooth). If aspartame kills you, shouldn't I be DEAD? I never abstained during pregnancies and I have 6 kids, the only one with a learning disability or any kind of health problem (aspergers) was born before I started using aspartame. You'd think we'd have run into some of these health problems the aspartame nuts keep on about. I prefer the taste to sugar.