Giving up Soda for Better Health
By Amy Silva
Soda is a popular choice of beverage and it's easy to understand why. It contains a lot of sugar and it makes us want more and more. Having one occasionally can turn into grabbing one every time we run errands or go to a gas station and the next thing you know it's on our shopping list when we get groceries. Once the habit begins it can be tough to give up, just as sugary foods can be. Taking into consideration what soda does to the body and not just focusing on its taste may be a good start to giving it up.
What Drinking Soda Does to the Body
There are many more ways soda negatively affects the body, but here are a few:
- Bad teeth - The acid and sugar in soda can wear away the enamel on teeth leading to cavities and tooth decay
- Unhealthy heart and blood - Soda can increase chances of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain - Studies show those who drink soda often consume more calories than those who don't drink soda, and it may cause weight gain
How Giving up Soda Improves the Body
Giving up soda can reduce your risk of contracting certain diseases and health issues such as:
- Cancer - The risk of certain cancers, such as pancreatic and endometrial cancers, are lower in those who don't drink soda, according to studies
- Weight gain - Just as adding soda to a diet may cause weight gain, eliminating it or drastically cutting down on intake may help you lose weight by consuming less calories
- Unhealthy liver - Giving up soda and other types of food or drinks that are high in sugar can help prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
How Can You Cut Down or Eliminate Soda From Your Diet?
Quitting anything cold turkey doesn't work for everyone but replacing even one soda a day with water can be a great first step toward giving it up entirely. If you can't stop right away, then start slowly. Avoid buying it while on errands, have a glass of water when at restaurants and do your best to not purchase any to keep at home. Try switching to caffeine-free versions, then diet versions before quitting completely. Consider unsweetened tea or add fruit to plain water if you prefer your drinks to have flavor. If you consistently make an effort to replacing and eventually giving up soda, it won't be long before your choice of beverage is water.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Antonio, Tex.