The Hazards of Drinking Soda

Most regular soda drinkers are aware that soft drinks are bad for the health. How bad?

• Soda or diet sodas contain chemical ingredients and artificial sweeteners like Aspartame used in diet versions which is made up of three chemicals.  It is used because it’s about 200 times sweeter than table sugar. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption.  side effects
• Soda cans contain BPA chemicals
• The value of 16 fl. oz. of soda is approximately 128 useless calories.  The average American drinks about 57 gallons of soft drinks each year.
• The carbonated beverage is linked to diabetes, weight gain, and other types of chronic conditions. Some scientists believe that the unceasing demands that a soda habit places on the pancreas may ultimately leave it unable to keep up with the body’s need for insulin.
• Tooth Decay-Soda eats up and dissolves the tooth enamel⁸. Researches⁹ say that soft drinks are responsible for doubling or tripling the incidence of tooth decay.
• High-fructose corn syrup, which makes up a huge percentage of soda, is also associated with several diseases when consumed in excess.
• Kidney stones- because of colas’ acidity and radical mineral imbalances. Your body must buffer the acidity of soft drinks with calcium from your own bones. As this calcium is eliminated through your urine, it slowly forms kidney stones and weakens your bones in the process.
• Phosphoric acid that’s found in sodas is proven to leach calcium from the bones, which in turn can lead to osteoporosis.
• The caffeine in soda can cause nervousness and anxiety.
• Increased blood pressure, heart burn, dehydration

There are many natural alternatives to soda, which are discussed below.

Healthier Beverages:

• Pure, fresh water
• Natural, homemade juices, that are made from fresh, local fruits and vegetables
• Coconut water
• Soy milk, goat milk  and other artisan dairy beverages that are rich in minerals and calcium
• Tea. Any kind of tea – herbal, green or black – is rich in antioxidants, which were shown to protect the body form many health problems

 

How To Stop Drinking Soda:

• If you find yourself addicted to soda, and you wish to kick the habit for good, do this gradually by swapping one serving of soda with one replacement of a healthy beverage, every day.
• Go cold turkey. Make up your mind to have good health that you can control, by eating only fresh, local and seasonal foods and beverages. Rather than weaning bad habits, some folks may find it easier to throw out all types of toxic foods from the pantry all at once, and then start anew.

Drinking soda not only causes detriments to the health, it also contributes to the heaping piles of cans and plastics in the landfills, which is part of the global warming epidemic. Embracing healthy living isn’t only good for you; it’s good for the planet too.