The Dangers of Soda

Studies show that the average American drinks an estimated 56 gallons of soft drinks each year. More than 15 billion gallons were sold in 2000. Soda accounts for more than one-quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States. In the past 10 years, soft drink consumption among children has almost doubled in the United States. Studies have linked soda to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease. One can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, artificial coloring and phosphoric acid. Lets take a closer look at the deleterious effects of soda:

*Phosphoric Acid: May interfere with the body's ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones. A 1994 Harvard study of bone fractures in teenage athletes found a strong association between cola beverage consumption and bone fractures in 14-year-old girls. Phosphoric acid increases the level of phosphorus in our blood, which triggers the balancing mechanisms in our bodies to take calcium from our bones to counteract the imbalance. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes stomach acid, leading to digestive disturbances. "Acid begins to dissolve tooth enamel in only 20 minutes," notes the Ohio Dental Association in a press release.

*Sugar: Sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging and many more negative side effects. Most sodas include over 100 percent of the RDA of sugar. One 12 oz can of soda contains 9-12 teaspoons of sugar. In order for us to metabolize sugar vitamins and minerals are robbed from our bodies to assist in the breakdown.

*Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. When aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens.

*Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects, and can be very addicting. Many diet sodas have more caffeine than the non-diet variety. According to the archives of adolescent and pediatric medicine, between the ages of 12 and 17, 68% of boys and 63% of girls drank soda and were less likely to get the recommended levels of vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium.

A study published in the lancet, showed that for every soft drink consumed it increased a child’s obesity risk by 60%. And in Jan. 2004 the American Academy of Pediatrics announced that soda should not be sold in schools.

Kick the soda habit; your entire body will thank you.

*Benzene: In 2006 the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency reported that benzene, a potent human carcinogen, exceeded the UK’s standard for safe levels in drinking water used in 230 popular UK soft drinks. Simultaneously, the US Food and Drug Administration reported that Benzene levels exceeded acceptable standards in many sodas sold in the US. Several contain benzene levels above the US drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion. The benzene in the soda is the result of a chemical reaction that can occur between ascorbic acid, a common ingredient in soda, and sodium benzoate, and additive. The problem is widely known among beverage makers, but until now, not widely talked about.

Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine November, 2000; 154: 1148-1152
The Lancet 2001; 357:505-508