In researching the dangers of soda, you will find an array of reasons not to drink it, which include weight gain and obesity, diabetes, weakened bones and risk for osteoporosis, dental issues, kidney damage, increased blood pressure, contributor to heartburn, impaired digestion, dehydration, excessive caffeine intake, toxins from aspartame, and so on.
In 2001, PreventDisease.com took aim at four key "soda targets," in order to separate the fact from fiction, specifically in relation to our kids, who are guzzling soda at unprecedented rates.
- Obesity: The report shows that "a team of Harvard researchers presented the first evidence linking soft drink consumption to childhood obesity." They found that "schoolchildren who drank soft drinks consumed almost 200 more calories per day than their counterparts who didn't down soft drinks."
- Tooth decay: The report states, "numerous studies –– using children and adults –– have shown a direct link between tooth decay and soft drinks." They also noted "sugar isn't the only ingredient in soft drinks that causes tooth problems, "the acids in soda pop are also notorious for etching tooth enamel in ways that can lead to cavities."
- Caffeine dependence: Apparently, "the stimulant properties and dependence potential of caffeine in soda are well documented, as are their effects on children."
- Weakened bones and osteoporosis: PreventDisease.com notes that "rat studies point to clear and consistent bone loss with the use of cola beverages" and also shared a 1994 Harvard study, where "[14-year-old] girls who drank cola were about five times more likely to suffer bone fractures than girls who didn't consume soda pop." Web MD confirms the connection between soda and osteoporosis, citing research done by Tufts University. Researchers studied several thousand men and women, and found that women, who regularly drank three or more a day cola-based sodas, had almost 4% lower bone mineral density in the hip. According to the lead study author Katherine Tucker, PhD, "phosphoric acid, a major component in most sodas, may be to blame [for the lower bone mineral density)]." WebMD notes that, "phosphorus itself is an important bone mineral, but if you're getting a disproportionate amount of phosphorus compared to the amount of calcium you're getting, that could lead to bone loss." They also add, "another possible culprit is caffeine, which experts have long known can interfere with calcium absorption."
Is diet soda better than regular?
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Nice Article....
Though, I still argue that anything in excess can be very bad for you. With that in mind, your next article should cover 100% fruit juice because sugar IS sugar. Your body converts all sugars into fat and it doesn't discriminate nor can it tell the difference between glucose or fructose.
So, people shouldn't feel safe in consuming an excess amount of fruit just because it is natural.
2 - Christine
Yes, Brian, I agree. However, with fruit you get some vitamins and minerals, while "white sugar" is empty (stripped of all it's nutritional value). And if you eat whole fruit you get the added fiber. Again, not so with "white sugar."
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Still, that doesn't change the fact that you could have weight issues if you eat too much fruit.Especially, if you choose the juice route or canned fruits. Again, moderation is the key (along with a proper exercise plan).
As for your opinion about milk, I believe it totally depends on what your idea of a healthy diet really is. If you're looking to just to be thin with no concern about strength training then, in my opinion, that doesn't really support any of the claims that all fat is bad for you nor is it necessarily healthy either.
When someone merely focuses on cutting out their fat intake but overlooks the amount of protein their cutting out as well then they really are doing a disservice to their body. Milk has plenty of nutrients that have been proven beneficial to a diet that includes a strength training regiment which isn't limited to just heavy duty bodybuilders. Again, skinny doesn't equate to healthy...
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*Oops* I also meant to add:
If you really are concerned about weight management issues when having dairy products, but you still enjoy them, have them in the morning for breakfast.
Secondly, I really don't see the difference between supporting the consumption of yogurt & cottage cheese but not milk...can you explain?
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Still no answer Christine?
Oh and I want to apologize for not reading your article all the way through. But, now that I have, I am quite disappointed that you would take the alarmist / conspiracy route that you have in regards to artificial sweeteners. I could care less about the amount of books that Dr. Mercola has sold. His site screams of marketing propaganda based on fear & intimidation by way of conspiracies... Please, spare us.
Again, I agree that no one should base their beverage intake solely on ones with artificial sweeteners(Moderation is key),but, to infer that this stuff could cause cancer without any hard evidence to prove it is, well, irresponsible. And, even though you try to dismiss your own involvement in perpetuating this propaganda by stating "to err on the side of caution" is rather pretentious.
All I know is that right now, at this moment, that:
"Aspartame, the sweetening ingredient in Equal has been documented in more than 200 objective scientific studies. The safety of aspartame has been confirmed by regulatory authorities in more than 100 countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, and the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food, as well as by experts with the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization"
And Splenda:
"has been the subject of extensive safety testing, with more than 20 years of research and over 110 scientific studies. Its safety is well documented and the Food and Drug Administration, along with regulatory, health, and food safety authorities from around the world, have concluded that it is safe."
So your claim that some of these "fake" sugars,"have not been on the market long enough to confirm whether or not they are truly safe and at what levels." is,again, irresponsible and shows your lack of research.
Sorry Christine, I just don't appreciate that kind of propaganda or speculation from a fitness trainer / nutritionist.
6 - Igor Griffiths
As someone who hates to gym style exercise, swimming lengths irritates me, why bother going to the other end just to swim back again! I managed to lose 4 waist inches using a low carb diet whilst my foot was dead for 3 months due to a trapped nerve after exercising on a rowing machine.
However my digestinal tract is now hyper sensitive to polyols as result of switching my body to lower carb diet, so I have to avoid a lot of sugar free foods.
As regards diet drinks, especially the colas I would much rather drink water, but half the time at vending machines, its cola or nothing and then its back to the addiction with cola and caffeine. At my worst I was drinking 6 litres of Diet Coke most weekends.
Whatever you eat it would always be better to choose the real food item and avoid the foods that need science degrees to understand.
However, being a healthy eater does not make me a good consumer and therefore the market will try and keep me addicted to cola and fast food, it is doing well.