10 Reasons Why Drinking Coke (and other Soda Drinks) May Be Harmful For Your Body

After a day’s workout, or a hot, tiring day at work, the first thing one does is, heads straight for the kitchen on a hunt for some fizz! The magic of the fizz seems to soothe the nerves and the mind at such times. Coke, Pepsi, Sprite and their other fellow mates seem to have overpowered water by seeming to refresh your body instantly. However, these fizzy drinks have been severely scrutinized all over the world and are an active topic for environmental and human rights activists! These soft drinks that are nothing but sugar coated venom for your naive body, get worse with their diet versions. Here are a few ill effects of these pseudo thirst-quenchers you need to know.

10. High Caffeine Content

Caffeine is an active ingredient in most of the soda drinks. Extremely addictive, it is a major health attacker! Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure, especially in those already suffering from hypertension and those who don’t normally consume caffeine. It increases the risk of heart attacks among young adults. Studies also show that people who binge on caffeinated beverages increase their risk for a gout flare-up. It also causes stomach upsets and ingestion. While occasional doses of caffeine can relieve headache symptoms, the overuse of caffeine can cause headaches and lead to migraines. It also hampers glucose metabolism, leading to diabetes.

9. High Aspartame Content

Rightly called ‘sugar coated poison’ , Aspartame content has been alarmingly rising in the diet versions of cold drinks. It is around 200 times sweeter than sugar. Aspartame in diet sodas, or in other liquid forms, is absorbed more quickly. It is related to health effects ranging from mild problems such as headache, dizziness, digestive symptoms, and changes in mood, to more serious health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, birth defects, diabetes, Gulf War syndrome, attention deficit disorders, Parkinson’s disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and seizures.

8. Teeth Damage

As you know, soft drinks contain sugar. Bacteria that live inside your mouth eat this sugar, producing acid as a result. This acid begins to erode your tooth enamel around the bacterial colony, allowing the bacteria to move into the eroded areas and eventually leading to cavities. Symptoms of dental erosion include temperature sensitivity, pain, transparency, cracking and darkening of teeth. Soft drinks such as Coke and Diet Coke contain phosphoric acid, which affects the entire tooth, unlike localized erosion that leads to cavities. Coupled with the acid produced from bacteria, Coca Cola is a double threat to tooth enamel.

7. Weak bones

In studies, soda drinkers of all ages have been shown to have higher rates of broken bones and fractures than their non-soda-drinking peers. Soda’s caffeine, phosphorus and carbonation may interfere with calcium absorption. Being acidic in nature, these drinks are responsible for bone corrosion. The bone-depleting effect of soda might affect women and teens more than adult men. Teens whose bones don’t get enough calcium have a higher risk of breaks, fractures and, later in life, osteoporosis.

6. Kidney failure

Your kidneys are primarily responsible for removing wastes and excess water from your body. Moderate consumption of a sugar called fructose increases the kidney’s sensitivity to a protein that regulates salt balance. Soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup may be the most dangerous. A study  suggests that having two or more regular or diet colas per day can increase your risk of chronic kidney disease. Colas contain phosphoric acid, which contributes to greater kidney stone formation. Although not all sodas contain phosphoric acid, nearly all regular sodas can contribute to greater stone formation and overall kidney dysfunction.

5. Weight Gain

Obesity was never a major problem when Coca Cola or similar products were not introduced. But with an advent of these products, a major portion of the population is turning obese which includes children and teenagers. Those who drink more diet sodas gain more weight over time. Although people who drink both sugar-sweetened and diet sodas gain weight, diet soda drinkers are more likely to become obese. And the more diet sodas one drinks, the greater is his weight gain. Researchers found that compared to people who didn’t drink sodas at all, those who drank both sugar-sweetened and diet soda were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome – a cluster of symptoms often linked to obesity that increase risk for heart disease and diabetes. Obesity is the root of diseases that affect heart, lungs, and kidney. Researches have also been proving that obesity may be a cause to trigger cancer cells.

4. Affects Fertility

Multiple studies have suggested that fizzy drinks consumption increases the risk of miscarriage. An increase in the risk of miscarriage has been reported with increasing caffeine intake. Moreover, pregnant women may be more sensitive to caffeine as it is metabolized or broken down slower during pregnancy. An additional concern in pregnancy is the ability of caffeine to cross the placenta and directly affect the developing baby. Caffeine may also impact the ability to conceive. Hence, women should limit their soda intake, for a safe reproductive health.

 

3. Gastroesophageal Reflux

In some cases, drinking soda regularly can irritate your stomach and esophagus. Causing acid to rise up your throat, creating a bitter taste in your mouth and a burning in your throat and chest, this condition is called reflux.  Phosphoric acid can cause acid to rise in the stomach, resulting in acid reflux. Over time, drinking large amounts of soda containing phosphoric acid can damage your stomach and esophageal lining. Long-term damage to this tissue puts you at an increased risk for Barrett’s esophagus, strictures, damage to the stomach lining and esophagus and esophageal cancer. It can also lead to peptic ulcers.

2. Affects Brain

Consuming high amounts of sugar in soda each day could lead to less production of brain-derived nuerotrophic factor, the chemical which plays a significant role in forming new memories. Without it, you can’t learn or remember about anything. Too much consumption of sugar from drinking soda could lead to depression and dementia. It can also make you restless and lead to wrong decision making. Severe health disorders include, strokes. Alzheimer’s disease and violence.

1. Dehydrating effect

Sold with the promise of quenching your thirst, these soda drinks rather, dehydrate your body. The caffeine causes you to urinate more, leading to the above effect. What an irony! Moreover, Soda also contains Sodium, which makes you thirstier.

Despite these innumerable ill effects of soda on health, fizzy drinks continue to be the most consumed beverages in every part of the globe. This is due to their efficiency in quick coolness, providing a soothing feeling, and also due to their unique taste, loved by one and all. Yet, the alarming ill effects cannot be overlooked!

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