The consumption of soft drinks can have several health consequences, as they are composed of large amounts of sugar and components that can compromise the body’s functioning, such as phosphoric acid, corn syrup and potassium
In addition, soft drinks have no nutritional value and contain high amounts of salt, which promote fluid retention, lead to weight gain, bloated stomach and swollen legs.
Some of the main health consequences of soft drink consumption are:
1. Weight gain
Just one can of soda contains about 10 tablespoons of sugar, which greatly increases blood sugar levels and decreases the action of insulin in the body. Thus, if consumed regularly, soda can promote weight gain and favor the development of diabetes in the long term.
Also, when blood sugar levels rise too quickly, such as after drinking a can of soda, it is normal to feel more hungry, which encourages the person to eat and contributes to weight gain.
2. Weakening of bones and teeth
Most soft drinks contain a high amount of phosphoric acid which prevents the body from absorbing the calcium needed to strengthen bones. Thus, people who regularly drink soda can develop problems such as cavities or osteoporosis.
This phosphoric acid also makes it difficult for the stomach to produce gastric acid, slowing down the digestion process and the absorption of nutrients.
3. kidney stones
Due to the acidity of soft drinks, the body needs to use calcium, which would otherwise be used in bones, to facilitate digestion and balance the pH.
Therefore, the kidneys need to eliminate the calcium used in this process, which increases the risk of formation of kidney stones, due to the accumulation of calcium inside.
4. Increased blood pressure
Soft drinks can lead to a gradual increase in blood pressure, especially because of their high amounts of sodium and caffeine. In addition, several studies indicate that excessive consumption of fructose, which is the sugar present in soft drinks, is also one of the main causes of high blood pressure.
5. Changes in the brain
This type of drink can lead to changes in the brain due to its caffeine content, as it stimulates several substances in the body that can be related to dementia and Alzheimer’s, for example. In addition, caffeine can also cause insomnia, restlessness, tremors and headaches.
Soda also has another substance called sodium benzoate, which may also be related to changes in memory, motor coordination and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
6. Cancer
Because it is high in sugar, frequent soda consumption increases the risk of cancer, even in people who are overweight. In addition, its consumption favors weight gain and the development of diabetes, problems that are also related to an increased risk of cancer.
Why pregnant women and children should not take
Soda is bad during pregnancy because it causes abdominal discomfort, contributes to weight gain and can cause fluid retention. In addition, cola-based soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have a lot of caffeine, which during pregnancy cannot exceed 200 mg per day. If a pregnant woman drinks 2 cups of coffee a day, she can no longer drink caffeine.
Soft drinks that contain caffeine should also not be drunk while breastfeeding because caffeine passes into breast milk and can cause insomnia in the baby.
In children, soda can hinder physical and mental development, as well as facilitate the onset of diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Soft drinks should be excluded from the baby’s diet, and fruit juices may be chosen, in addition to water, for adequate fluid intake.
How to replace soft drinks
One way to replace soda is through the consumption of flavored water, also known as flavored water. This is because sparkling water is usually used and fruit is added, such as lemon, strawberry or orange, for example, which can remind you of the flavor of the soda. Check out some flavored water recipes.
