Reetika Choudhury
If you have ever found yourself reaching for a cold, fizzy soft drink to quench your thirst, you are not alone. These bubbly beverages are everywhere, tempting us with their sweet flavors and refreshing fizziness. But before you crack open that next can, let’s take a friendly dive into some eye-opening reasons why you might want to think twice about indulging in your favorite soda. Spoiler alert: your body will thank you for it!
Obesity
Did you know that a single can of your favorite soft drink (354 ml) has 33 grams of sugar? That’s about 9.5 teaspoons! To put in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends that women have no more than six teaspoons of sugar a day, and men no more than nine. So, just one can of soft drink can easily push you over the limit. Regularly indulging in fizzy drinks can contribute to weight gain and increase your waistline. Enjoy your drinks in moderation to stay on the healthier side!
Increases Risk of Heart Diseases
Most soft drinks contain a lot of sugar, especially from ingredients like fructose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), can raise the risk of heart attacks or heart disease. According to the Nurse’s Health Study, which monitored over 90,000 women for eight years, those who drank more than two sugary beverages a day had a 40% higher risk of heart problems compared to women who rarely consumed these drinks.
Fatty Liver
Refined sugar mainly consists of glucose and fructose. While our body cells easily use glucose for energy, only the liver can process fructose. Drinking too many soft drinks can overwhelm the liver with fructose, which gets turned into fat. This fat can build up in the liver quickly, potentially leading to serious fatty liver disease.
Kidney Issues
Many soft drinks contain significant amounts of phosphoric acid, which can lead to increased acidity in your urine. This elevated acidity can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, which are not only painful but can also affect overall kidney function. When consumed regularly, the phosphoric acid in these beverages can gradually impact your kidneys. Over time, chronic intake of phosphoric acid has been linked to a decline in renal function. This means your kidneys may not work as efficiently as they should, potentially leading to various kidney-related health issues. So be mindful about the intake of soft drinks to maintain healthy kidney function!
Higher Risk of Cancer
Cancer often occurs alongside other chronic diseases like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease. Because of this, it’s not surprising that sugary drinks are linked to a higher risk of cancer. For example, postmenopausal women who consume a lot of sugary soft drinks may face a higher risk of endometrial cancer, which affects the inner lining of the uterus. Additionally, for those who have had colorectal cancer, drinking sugary beverages is associated with higher chances of the cancer coming back and an increased risk of death.
