When I was growing up, soda was considered a special treat that we got a couple of times a year when the family went out to the local drive-in to have a hamburger and French fries. Yes, I am dating myself, but think about it—not THAT long ago, sodas were consumed a few times per year! Today, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of kids rarely drink water—instead they drink mostly sodas, juice, and milk. If you are the type of person who would rather drink soda than coffee, or if you can’t remember the last time you had a glass of water, take a moment to consider how soda consumption can adversely affect your health and steps you can take to stop drinking soda:
• Increased tooth decay: Drinking soda is associated with poor dental health because the acidic nature of soda erodes tooth enamel—which is the hardest substance in your body! The sugar in sodas also causes plaque formation that leads to cavities and gum disease. Diet soda is no better as it seems to harm your teeth just as much as its sugary cousin because of the citric and phosphoric acid that is in all sodas.
• Combination of harmful ingredients: While you might think it is the sugar that causes problems with soda drinking (and it does), other ingredients (acids, caffeine, phosphorus, etc.) can also cause health problems.
• Weight gain: The single biggest source of calories for Americans is soda. Soda contains empty calories that you simply don’t need in your diet. A recent study in children showed that each additional 12-ounce soda consumed per day increased the odds of becoming obese by 60 percent. You might think that diet soda is a good bet, but recent research has shown that even diet soda could be making you fat.
• Weaker bones: Soda has long been associated with osteoporosis in the elderly, but a study of teenage girls discovered that there was a three- to four-time increase in risk for bone fracture for girls who consumed soda than those who didn’t.
• Too much of a not-so-good thing: In the 1950s, soda came in 6.5 ounce bottles. The 12-ounce can made its debut in the 1960s, and (not to be outdone) the 20-ounce plastic bottle became the norm in the 1990s. Today the 42-ounce (477 calories) bottle is gaining in popularity. Super-sizing of this source of empty calories has steadily occurred over the past 50 years, contributing to obesity, poor dental health, osteoporosis and more.
• Combination of harmful ingredients: While you might think it is the sugar that causes problems with soda drinking (and it does), other ingredients (acids, caffeine, phosphorus, etc.) can also cause health problems.
• Weight gain: The single biggest source of calories for Americans is soda. Soda contains empty calories that you simply don’t need in your diet. A recent study in children showed that each additional 12-ounce soda consumed per day increased the odds of becoming obese by 60 percent. You might think that diet soda is a good bet, but recent research has shown that even diet soda could be making you fat.
• Weaker bones: Soda has long been associated with osteoporosis in the elderly, but a study of teenage girls discovered that there was a three- to four-time increase in risk for bone fracture for girls who consumed soda than those who didn’t.
• Too much of a not-so-good thing: In the 1950s, soda came in 6.5 ounce bottles. The 12-ounce can made its debut in the 1960s, and (not to be outdone) the 20-ounce plastic bottle became the norm in the 1990s. Today the 42-ounce (477 calories) bottle is gaining in popularity. Super-sizing of this source of empty calories has steadily occurred over the past 50 years, contributing to obesity, poor dental health, osteoporosis and more.
I could go on about the health disaster that is soda, but let me just say this: Kicking the soda habit could very well be one of the most important things you can do for your health. There are NO nutritional benefits to drinking sugary or sugar-free sodas—only harm.
So, if you are thirsty, I recommend trying these non-soda thirst quenchers instead:
• Infused water (spa water)
• Sparkling water with a twist of lemon or lime
• Herbal sun tea
• Low-sodium broth or miso
So, if you are thirsty, I recommend trying these non-soda thirst quenchers instead:
• Infused water (spa water)
• Sparkling water with a twist of lemon or lime
• Herbal sun tea
• Low-sodium broth or miso
Do you have a favorite healthier soda alternative that I forgot to mention? Post it in the comments section below.
In good health, Shelley Marenka and Dr. Jamie
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