I'm trying to find out what soft drinks are OK to drink for someone with PCS.

My main symptoms are cognitive deficits, mostly problems with expressive speech. When I drink caffeine or anything with sugar, it intensifies my cognitive symptoms to a very uncomfortable level.

So, what can I drink that is delicious but doesn't contain a butt load of sugar (or anything else that stimulates the brain)?

Every once in awhile, I have a craving for soda...So, I have no more than a can of orange soda, lemon lime soda or something without caffeine. Is there a drink that has carbonated water in it but not that much (or any) sugar?

Thanks in advance,

Nick

I drink Sierra Mist and usually add cran-raspberry cocktail to it. The Sierra Mist is sweetened with natural sugar, no high fructose corn syrup and has no artificial ingredients.

Have you tried Izze?

I started drinking sparkling water. It has the fizzy sensation I'm looking for without the added artificial sweeteners or hfcs. There are flavored options available too, but you just have to make sure they don't contain artificial sweetener. Sometimes I buy the plain and add a splash of fresh juice to it.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

I've been drinking Sierra Mist today without any problems. What is it about artificial sweeteners that negatively effects someone with a brain injury/PCS? Why is real sugar any different?

I'm just curious...

Nick

Real sugar is processed by the body naturally. High fructose corn syrup is not. It stimulates insulin improperly and has some other suspected concerns. Aspartame/Nutrasweet/Equal is an excito-toxin just like caffeine and MSG. Sucralose is a sugar molecule that has been chlorinated so the body does not recognize it. The organic chlorine is the risk.

Too much natural sugar is still not good but if consumed with other foods that have complex structures, the digestive system takes longer to digest them.

Wow I did not know how all of this worked; I am glad that you have this information; it makes me feel better since I know exactly what is going on. (and I can explain it to people who think I'm full of it for avoiding certain things!)

Thank you Nick, for asking the question, too!