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These days, many of us are more likely to reach for a soda then a glass of water. This fizzy beverage may quench our thirst and taste great, but you might be surprised to find out how it affects your body with every can you drink. For many people the extra calories alone are enough of a reason to give up on soda. But after reading this, I hope you realize that the negative effects of drinking soda go far beyond love handles. The next time you reach for your favorite soft drink keep these facts in mind.
- Weak bones: Studies have found the high level of phosphorus in soda can lead to bone weakening. This puts women at an even higher risk for the bone disease osteoporosis.
- Dental problems: The fact that soda is liquid sugar is reason enough to cause tooth damage such as staining and cavities. When you add in sodas high acid level you have a recipe for tooth decay.
- Don’t drink your calories: Packed full of sugar, soda is basically liquid calories. Those who drink it tend to do so in addition to regular meals; this surplus of calories leads to weight gain. “But I drink diet!” Yes, that is less sugar, but the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas have been shown to increase appetite and lead to more fat stores in the body. Losing weight can be hard enough so don’t put yourself at a disadvantage with this sugary drink.
- Diabetes: The body struggles to process the high sugar content of soda. This overload can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Dehydration: Many people reach for a soda when there thirsty. The sugars and caffeine found in soda act as diuretics, which increases urine output and can lead to dehydration.
- Increased blood pressure: The high fructose corn syrup found in soda is linked to high blood pressure.
- Heartburn: Soda has been show to worsen and even cause heartburn. This is no surprise considering he high acid content of most sodas.
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