Why is Soda Bad for You? Learn Why Regular and Diet Sodas Should Be Consumed in Moderation
What used to be a reward or something consumed on special occasions has now taken over breakfast, lunch and dinner, literally. It seems that everyone is drinking soda now, and no age is too young to start. There are numerous studies linking soda consumption to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and many more health problems, but soda consumption is still at record levels. So if it tastes so good, why is soda bad for you?
Reason One: Sugar
Zero doesn’t always mean zero. Unfortunately, in the rules of labeling, it is permissible to claim an ingredient as “zero” even when some traces are found in the product. For example, products can claim there is no saturated fat in them if there is less than a half gram of saturated fat per serving. Soda is no different.
Manufacturers can claim a product contains no sugar if the sugar content falls below a certain threshold that is set by a higher power. The key thing to remember is serving size. What you consider a serving size may not be what is truly a serving size based on the nutrition labeling information. Some candy bars have two or more servings per bar, but who eats a bite or two of a candy bar and saves the rest for later? The same idea applies to a bottle of soda.
Make sure to read the labels. There are many products on the market now that are “sugar substitutes.” These sugar substitutes are often synthetically made, and their full affect on the body is yet to be seen because they haven’t been around long enough to be analyzed after long term use. Use caution with these substitutes. Even though you think you are skating home free because you have dodged the sugar bullet often times you are just swapping one poison for another. These substitutes are chemicals and have the ability to alter the metabolism and may even cause cancer.
Note: Sugar alcohols may not be considered sugar in some people’s eyes but the body considers a sugar alcohol a sugar. They are metabolized and broken down in the body the same way that a sugar would be. There will still be a significant spike in insulin after consuming sugar alochols.
Reason Two: Extra Calories
Most sodas contain calories. There are sodas out there with claims of containing zero calories, but those same sodas are also known to cause stomach discomfort and intestinal problems. You are better off eating your calories than drinking them.
Think about all the extra calories you are drinking when you drink a soda. One, eight ounce can of Coke has 140 calories. Imagine if that was a 20 ounce soda, that’s an extra 350 calories in your day from one bottle of Coke.
If you had chosen water over soda, you would have hydrated yourself and consumed zero calories. To gain one pound of weight, you must consume 3500 extra calories over what your body needs to function. If you drink a couple of bottles of soda a week you could easily gain one to two pounds month. That’s a scary thought that should be enough to convince you why soda is bad for you. By cutting soda out, you could lose 10-12 pounds, or save yourself those 10-12 pounds you would have gained.
Reason Three: Acid
Soda is the most acidic drink on the market. Its pH can vary depending on the soda but averages around a pH of 2.5. Battery acid has a pH of 1. Being so acidic is not only problematic for your insides, it’s problematic for your teeth. The acid eats away at your enamel, which leads to decay and erosion. In other words, it makes you more prone to cavities. In addition to the extra pounds you could gain, soda may help you lose all your teeth. We seem to be gaining and losing in the wrong areas with soda.
Just Another Expense with No Pay Off.
Are you still wondering, “Why is soda bad for you?” Well, here are some things to consider. Soda helps you pack on a couple of pounds, eats away at your tooth enamel, and could make you reliant on caffeine to get through your day. There isn’t a whole lot of benefit to soda that makes it worth drinking. It’s just another expense with no payoff, and no one likes to waste money.
Resources
Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diet-soda/AN01732
Meredith, Wade, “What Happens to Your Body Within an Hour of Drinking a Coke,” Nutrition Research Center, https://www.nutritionresearchcenter.org/healthnews/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-drink-a-coke-right-now/
Author unknown, “8 Reasons Why People Drink Soda & 16 Reasons to Give Up Soda Drinking,” eMed Expert, https://www.emedexpert.com/tips/soft-drinks.shtml
