The temperatures in the city are soaring, and if there’s one thing that can offer complete solace- its sugary soft drinks. Yes, they can be immensely satisfying, but little do you know, they can wreck your entire body.
There are approximately 10 teaspoons of added sugar in a single can of cola. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend consuming no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar daily, meaning drinking just one serving of cola a day could take you well above these guidelines.
As such, it is no surprise that sugary drink consumption is associated with an array of health conditions. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, people who drink 1-2 cans of sugary beverages daily are 26% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. That’s not where it ends. Read on to find out the harmful effects of drinking soft drinks.
Sugar Sack
A single can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This amount of sugar, especially in liquid form, skyrockets the blood sugar and causes an insulin reaction in the body. Over time, this can lead to diabetes or insulin resistance, not to mention weight gain and other health problems. Soft drink companies are the largest user of sugar in the country.
Phosphoric Acid Poison
Soda contains phosphoric acid, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to osteoporosis, cavities and bone softening. Phosphoric Acid also interacts with stomach acid, slowing digestion and blocking nutrient absorption.
Artificial Sweeteners
In diet sodas, aspartame is used as a substitute for sugar, and can actually be more harmful. It has been linked to almost a hundred different health problems including seizures, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, diabetes, and emotional disorders. It converts to methanol at warm temperatures and methanol breaks down to formaldehyde and formic acid. Diet sodas also increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, which causes belly fat, high blood sugar and raised cholesterol.
Cartload of Caffeine
Most sodas contain caffeine, which has been linked to certain cancers, breast lumps, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and other problems.
Watch out for the Water
The water used in soda is just simple tap water and can contain chemicals like chlorine, fluoride and traces of heavy metals.
Obesity Obviously
Harvard University researchers have recently positively linked soft drinks to obesity. The study found that 12 year olds who drank soda were more likely to be obese than those who didn’t, and for each serving of soda consumed daily, the risk of obesity increased 1.6 times.
Excessively Extra Fructose
Sodas contain High Fructose Corn Syrup, which comes from corn. Most of this corn has been genetically modified, and there are no long term studies showing the safety of genetically modified crops, as genetic modification of crops has only been around since the 1990s. Also, the process of making High Fructose Corn Syrup involves traces of mercury, which causes a variety of long term health problems.
Lack of Nutrients
There is absolutely no nutritional value in soda whatsoever. Not only are there many harmful effects of soda, but there are not even any positive benefits to outweigh them. Soda is an unnatural substance that harms the body.
Disturbing Dehydration
Because of the high sugar, sodium and caffeine content in soda, it dehydrates the body and over a long period of time can cause chronic dehydration.
Bad for the teeth
Drinking soda regularly causes plaque to build up on the teeth and can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Don’t get carried away in the craze of drinking soft drinks. It’s better to decrease your soft drink intake and increase the amount of water you consume on a daily basis. Try carrying a refillable water bottle with you so that you have something to drink when thirst hits. If you need a hint of flavor, try adding slices of fruit to your water to infuse it with flavor. Watermelon, lemon, lime and peach are good options.