Q. Many coffee shops now sell zero-sugar or diet drinks. Is it okay to drink these while on a diet? What kind of drinks do you personally recommend?

A refreshing, sweet drink during a busy workday is a small but precious joy. I remember a time when I frequently consumed zero-sugar drinks thinking they wouldn't cause weight gain, only to suffer from persistent bloating. The benefits are clear: they carry a lower calorie burden and don't cause rapid blood sugar spikes, making them an excellent substitute for avoiding 'sugar toxins.' They serve as a helpful bridge for those who find it difficult to quit sweets cold turkey. However, from the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine, there are points of concern. Artificial sweeteners can stimulate the brain to crave even stronger sweetness later. More importantly, the low temperature of these drinks can harm your health. Relying solely on cold beverages makes one susceptible to Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo), a state where the Spleen's functional energy is weakened. When the Spleen is weak, digestive power declines, leading to the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum), a form of metabolic waste. If this persists, the body tends to swell, and circulation becomes stagnant, creating a constitution that is resistant to weight loss. In the clinic, I often see cases where this leads to Stagnant Blood (Eo-hyeol), which can worsen menstrual cramps or muscle pain. Therefore, rather than a total ban, I suggest a strategic approach. If you have an iced zero-sugar drink, balance it out next time by drinking warm water or a tea with 'warm' properties to reheat your core. Maintaining internal body temperature is essential for a smooth metabolism. The habit of carefully monitoring your digestive state and adjusting accordingly is the true starting point of a healthy diet.