Question for our DOCTORS or physicians.

[Eliot Rosewater]

I drink too much diet cola, admittedly and I drink very little water.

Is the water in the cola acting as water as to hydration? Am I being hydrated properly?

I realize water is better, but am I receiving any benefit from the cola?

[Aristus]

1. No. The sodium in regular sodas and diet sodas negate any hydration benefit from the water in soda.

The goal of beverage manufacturers is not to quench your thirst; it's to keep you thirsty so you keep buying and drinking soda.

We tend not to notice the sodium levels in soda, because the sweeteners mask the salty taste.

If it's hydration you're after, drink water.

[hlthe2b]

2. Not to mention the caffeine diuretic effect...

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. Thanks

[Aristus]

4. Sure.

[Eliot Rosewater]

5. while I have you, I have this growth

what should I do with this? cream?

[ploppy]

8. I hope that is on your back

so you don't have to look at it.

[lunasun]

6. If you do not like water try a glass of milk or fortified orange juice that nutritionists recommend

[Aristus]

7. I discourage my patients from drinking fruit juice.

And encourage them to eat whole fruit instead. The juice is just sugar, which, in the absence of the pulp and fiber found in whole fruit, will just get stored as fat in the liver.