Simple Diet Switch? Soda is Worse Than You Thought!
By Genevieve Cunningham
Soda is an incredibly popular drink. Over the years, there have been a lot of opinions about soda. Years and years ago, it was suggested that you give babies soda in their bottles. As time passed, we stopped suggesting it as an infant drink and instead targeted teens and adults -- with much success. Soda, whether it was Pepsi, Coca-Cola, or something else, was the hottest beverage of choice. In today's world, we know that soda perhaps isn't the healthiest option, but we still choose it more often than not. We love the flavor, the bubbly sensation, and the caffeine. But if you're looking to improve your diet and health, it's probably time to put the soda away for good. If you love a cold bottle of bubbly goodness, take a look at why soda is one of the worst choices you can make for your diet and overall health.
It's Packed Full of Sugar
Soda has so much sugar. So, so much. An average adult can safely consume between 25 and 36 grams of sugar per day. One 12-ounce soda has roughly 32 to 36 grams of sugar -- in just that one drink! If we consume one regular soda per day, we've already met our sugar quota before factoring in coffee, juice, bread, sweets, and anything else that contains sugar -- which is just about everything! If you're a soda drinker and wonder why you can't lose weight, the answer may be in the massive amount of sugar you're consuming through drinks alone.
The Acid is Killing Your Teeth
Soda is acidic. If you really think about it, this makes sense. After all, Coca-Cola can eat through car battery acid in a pinch. While there's a lot to be said about putting that acid into your body, there's also a lot to be said about the effects on your teeth. Soda drinkers tend to have more stains, more cavities, and more brittle teeth than non soda drinkers. The acid (plus sugar) just isn't good for the teeth. If the health of your teeth are a concern, it may do you a lot of good to nix it from your diet for good.
It's Linked to Numerous Health Risks
Besides weight gain and bad teeth, soda has also been linked to higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. If it's a soda with a high caffeine content, it may also raise your risk of high blood pressure. Perhaps even scarier are the unknown effects. Soda companies are frequently changing their ingredients to keep up with modern diet information. This especially includes alternative sugar options. But these alternatives are often shown to have negative side effects over the years. Considering soda can bring both documented and unknown side effects to the table, it's a good idea to drop it altogether.
If you're a soda drinker, you're one of many. Soda is definitely a drink of choice for a vast majority of American adults. But if health is a concern, it might be time to stop consuming sodas more often than not. Give it some serious consideration, do what's right for you, and make a conscious effort to get your health moving in the right direction.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Point Loma, Calif.