Social News reporter Jess Flaherty was getting through at least 2L of Pepsi Max every day but in a bid to improve her skin and health, she decided to cut it out of her diet – but didn’t imagine the results she’d get
I don’t have many vices in this world but if I went to donate blood, I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned me away for being 80% Pepsi Max. I love the stuff and, at one point, my fiancé and I were getting through at least two 2L bottles of it a day.
When I was younger, a persistently spotty chin and red cheeks got me drinking at least two litres of water a day. When my complexion cleared and I started rapidly losing weight, it wasn’t hard to become obsessed with water and its benefits. As I got older, and years of insomnia caught up with me (oh, how I miss the days of being able to function with ease after four hours of sleep), I needed a little caffeine fix to help maintain my focus at work.
But I can’t stand coffee and I hate tea. Being from Yorkshire and not liking tea goes down just as well as I’m sure you might imagine.
I used to drink Diet Coke but, craving something sweeter, I turned to Pepsi Max which, in my humble opinion, is the most elite form of sugar free cola on the planet.
It’s tasty, refreshing and gives me a much needed boost of energy each day, what’s not to love?
Soon, I was having a can of Pepsi Max every lunch break to help me through the post-food afternoon energy crash.
Water rapidly lost its appeal.
My fiancé and I – classy people that we are – don’t like wine so, over dinner, we opted for boujee glasses of Pepsi Max – complete with ice and metal straws to prevent staining our teeth.
It used to be a nice accompaniment to our evening meals but we didn’t stop there. It quickly got to the point where the only beverage that passed our lips after lunchtime was Pepsi Max.
I’d noticed my skin getting a little spottier again, and both my fiancé and I had started experiencing a little redness on our cheeks.
With our wedding booked for next year, we’re both keen to look our best and feel healthier. I made a bold decision.
I suggested we only drink Pepsi Max on the weekend, and stick to water throughout the week. He agreed.
It’s been a lot harder than we thought it would be – especially for me, as I don’t really drink anything else so felt like I was losing out on a “treat” each day but I can’t deny the results have been very impressive – and fast.
I have massively upped my water consumption now Pepsi Max isn’t my go-to hydration source and, in just three weeks, my skin looks clearer, healthier and firmer.
The constant redness on my cheeks has reduced significantly, and I’ve noticed the monthly cycle of spots has lessened too.
I’m also less bloated and I’ve lost weight, too – many of my clothes which were a little snug are now looser on me. Sleep has been less evasive too! As a raging insomniac, feeling genuinely tired and drowsy each evening has been a real help.
I still struggle with it but I’m getting to bed much earlier and feeling more relaxed. Instead of tossing and turning until 3am or 4am, it’s closer to midnight and 1am which makes a massive difference.
But I think these results are mainly due to the increase in water I’m drinking and I’m keen to keep it up. I’d love to be one of those people who has a naturally glowing, clear complexion and despite the insane amount of money I’ve spent on skincare products over the years, water seems to be making the biggest difference.
I still indulge in my beloved Pepsi Max over the weekend but now I really savour it, rather than expecting it to get me through each day.
As per the NHS: “The Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.”