Will drinking soda hurt my gains?

This might seem like a stupid question but it does affect me since i’m a heavy pop drinker. I heard that the high sugar levels will hurt my PE gains. Is there any truth to that? Also that milk will actually help speed them up?

Does this pop have caffeine in it? If so that might hurt your gains what with it being a vasoconstrictor.

As to sugar, I’m afraid I don’t know. I’m sure someone will though.

Milk? Hope so, I drink loads, but I don’t think it does! :)

Water would probably be better for you in the long run over the soda, but as far as hindering gains, someone else will have to address that. I also know nothing about milk speeding them up.

Now, having said that, a huge amount of soda isn’t good for you anyway, empty calories and way too much sugar. (And this is coming from someone who thinks Diet Pepsi is better than water :) ) If you have any history of diabetes in your family, cut back on the soda some, even I drink water; to the tune of a liter a day.

its funny this thread came up. Got back from my honeymoon on last friday and told my wife, “starting monday, you and I are both goign off caffine”.

She is the type that needs coffee to operate in the morning, but its been 6 days and neither of us have had caffine. I got some bad headaches last monday, and had a sip of coke, but other then that, its been pure water.

I hear you don’t really feel the effects till like 3 weeks into it because you are flushing all that shit out of your system.

I haven’t had any carbonated drinks either, so I am sure I will see some improvements in my skin, hopefully sex drive :) , and more.

All I know is I drink enough Coke to keep Coca Cola Australia in business by myself and I have gained well.

I know I should switch to water…and I will…one day :)

Seems my flaccid hang is less impressive when I drink a lot of carbonated beverages. I believe it is more the carbonation than the sugar that dehydrates you, and of course the caffeine constricts blood vessels, so that also will shrink up the flaccid, but I’ve not noticed any difference in erect length or girth. I’ve also read a lot of negative sexual side effects from the aspartame in diet soft drinks. The sweetener might be bad for you, but it couldn’t be any worse than sugar.

Even without caffeine or sugar, carbonated drinks are highly acid which isn’t a good state for your body to operate optimally in. That goes for carbonated water too!

Don’t forget about what all of that sugar & caramel coloring do to your teeth!

Don’t drink soda, regular or diet.

Hold it for a minute. If my chemistry degrees and pharmaceutical background still serve me well, carbonated drinks per se contain one of the weakest acids known, i.e., carbonic acid (not to be confused with carbolic acid). Carbonic acid is produced when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water. Carbon dioxide is what you burp up when you take a Tums (which is mainly calcium carbonate) for an acid stomach.

Now, if you’re referring to the carbonated drinks that are made further acidic with the addition of phorphoric acid (as in cola drinks), or citric acid (a component of lemons and other citrus fruits), then you’re talking about something else. But it is incorrect and misleading to state that carbonated water or carbonated drinks, as such, are highly acidic.

Thank you all for the input. It’s been quite helpful. Now if I can only figure out a way to stop drinking this crap.

Big Girtha, I think it’s neither the sugar nor the carbonation that dehydrates you; it’s the caffeine, which is a known diuretic. You’re right about the caffeine constricting blood vessels, though. I don’t know anything about apartame and sex.

Okay I’ll back down on the carbonated water being highly acidic, but I maintain that it is still acidic. More properly what I should have said is that in most people their body is a highly acidic environment, and water should be used to dilute that acid. Drinking a water that has an acidic content is adding more of exactly what we’re trying to negate since it interferes with the aerobic environment of healthy cells.

Oxygenated alkalized water would be the best bet.

Shiver, thanks for your clarification. Your point is well taken.
WB9x7 (HANK)