The idea that it could stimulate insulin production might have merit too. I really don’t know, but it’s not entirely unreasonable. I don’t know if it is supported by any empirical evidence, but it’d be worth looking into.

        antioxidant rich foods said:

But now they’re showing us studies that diet soda makes us even fatter than the already bad stuff!

Causality. Can the studies conclusively demonstrate that the diet soda causes obesity, or is it just as likely that being fat makes you more likely to drink diet soda?

Above, Buzz0 suggests that the artificial sweeteners may desensitize consumers to sweetness, thereby encouraging consumption of sweeter foods in general. I don’t remember when, nor do I have any references to cite, but I remember once hearing it suggested that the taste of a sweet food may stimulate insulin production even before the sugar enters the bloodstream. In the case of artificial sweeteners, this might result in insulin being produced when there is no actual sugar intake, leading to high insulin levels, thus low blood-sugar levels, and possibly insulin insensitivity. Low blood sugar leads to hunger, and insulin sensitivity leads to hypoglycemia and diabetes.

Of course, that whole hypothesis could be junk that was tossed around as part of the aspartame-is-death campaign of the 90’s.

Low B12 can result in a depressed immune system due to low white blood cell levels. It can also be associated with any number of other health problems.

Thankfully, while minor deficiencies may be common, very very few suffer from severe or critical deficiencies of B-12, except for a few narrow goups including diabetics, long time alcoholics and those with digestive problems. These individuals have trouble absorbing and retaining B12.

The only healthy individuals at risk for a serious deficiency are vegans, because B12 is only found in animal products, they should be advised to take supplements or eat fortified foods.

Again, anyone who may be at risk or is concerned needs to see their doctor because it’s easily remedied.

there is no solid evidence that doses of B12 or any other vitamin at levels significantly above the nutritional requirement is beneficial in any way.

There is one good thing about soda, however. Soda is something someone can drink at a party that is a little more appealing than water. Soda is a good thing to provide at parties and social events that have alcohol, because it is a good alternative for those who do not want to drink or have to drive. It is a good idea to provide softdrinks along side any alcohol so that people do not feel compelled to drink more than they feel comfortable drinking.

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        Konstantin said:

Some people like DV82XL are too lazy to check the links which have the references to peer reviewed medical journals. Sorry DV82XL I’m not willing to do the work for you. All you have to do is check the references in those links. I’m sure you’ll recognize some of the journals.

Well you see it doesn’t count when you are referencing these studies to show that they are in error when they do not support your contentions as in the link Another Flawed Attack against Antioxidants.

The list of publications was copied verbatim from the February 28, 2007 edition of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) which thoroughly discredited the notion that mega doses of these supplements had significant benefit.

If there is one thing I hate more than a spammer, its someone that treats me like an idiot. You have provided nothing to support your contentions except an attack from a website selling these products on a ligitimate journal disagreeing with your nonsence.