Off topic a little, but ever since I gave up caffeinated sodas, my incidence of headaches has gone way down. I have more energy, and I feel a lot better.
I can't tell you this for certain, but at least with stims other than caffeine, the net result is that they seem to do more harm than good. For what little temporary boost you get from them, the aftermath just doesn't justify taking them in the first place (at least for me. I understand everybody is different).
I have read that the reason that caffeine was added to soft drinks, is to make them addictive. I know lots of people at work that can't function, without their morning coffee.
At least for me, stims are like borrowing money from the bank at high interest. Okay, yes, you might need the boost right now, but in the long run, you're going to be better off if you just keep up with your cardio, and give yourself energy the natural way. At least that's how it works for me.
Yes, carbonated beverages make me feel bloated as all he11, and cause me gas.
'like the taste, but don't want so much gas? Pour your soda slowly into a warm glass, and let most the CO2 boil out before you drink it. Yes, your drink will be a little flat, but would you rather be farting and bloated for the next couple hours?
-Tinytoad
C10H15N free since '93