Health Side Effects of Excess Soda Consumption

Soda is everywhere, the movie theatre, vending machines, restaurants and at our home. The convenience and affordability of the beverage makes it an appealing choice for many of us when we are on the go. Soda tastes great and it is often more affordable than purchasing a bottle of water. However, long and short-term health side effects greatly outweigh any momentary satisfaction that soda brings.

Why do Americans love soda?

We see the advertisements for soda everywhere from billboards to school cafeterias. At an early age, we view commercials on the products and instantly fall in love with the sweet taste of the beverage. However, many of us do not realize what we are doing to our bodies by drinking it on a regular basis.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup comes from converting the glucose in the syrup into fructose, then mixing 100% glucose with the converted fructose. This process creates an inexpensive sweetener similar to sugar called high fructose corn syrup. According to globalhealingcenter.com, a diet rich in high fructose corn syrup has resulted in liver damage similar to that of alcoholics. The reason for this is that the liver must process the sugar, which in large amounts causes damage. In the movie Super Size Me, the documentary follows Morgan Spurlock as he consumes only McDonalds for one month. Towards the end of the binge, the doctors tell him that he had partial liver failure from soda consumption. This example shows how quickly liver failure from too much sugar can become a major health concern.

Phosphoric Acid

Phosphoric acid is one of the many ingredients/chemicals that are found in almost all soft drinks. According to globalhealingcenter.com, phosphoric acid is the ingredient that gives soda the signature "bite" and has been linked to calcium loss. Calcium loss, over time, can lead to a variety of bone deterioration problems.

Weight Gain

America is struggling with the problem of obesity from a lack of exercise, junk food diet and a variety of other factors. Soda is considered "junk food" because it contains no beneficial nutritional value for your diet. One 12 ounce can of Coke contains about 155 calories per can, which if consumed in large quantities could contribute to excess weight. After cutting soda out of my diet, I lose 20 pounds, from 180 to 160 in the matter of four months. I changed nothing else about my diet except soda consumption, which I replaced with water and green tea.

Tooth Decay

According to emedexpert.com, soda dissolves tooth enamel and is responsible for doubling or tripling incidences of tooth decay.

Dehydration

If you do not believe in the long term health side effects then consider the fact that soda actually dehydrates you rather than quenching your thirst. According to emedexpert.com, the caffeine and sugar in soda causes your body to expel more water when your kidneys work to expel the excess sugars. Caffeine also contributes to excess urination and loss of fluid.

Caffeine Fix

Caffeine is an addictive psychoactive drug that nearly 80% of the world consumes on a daily basis, states medicinenet.com. Although caffeine does have some health benefits with moderate consumption, there are also many short-term disorders associated with it. According to medicinenet.com, caffeine withdrawal symptoms can lead to headache, tiredness, decreased alertness, irritability and short-term depression feeling. Caffeinated soda can lead to addiction of caffeine and cause many short-term withdrawal problems when the user does not get their drug.

Sources:

http://www.medicinenet.com/caffeine/page2.htm

http://www.annecollins.com/calories/calories-coca-cola.htm

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/

http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/soft-drinks.shtml

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/soft-drinks-america.html