Who doesn't love soda with their meals? According to statistics, 63% of youth in the US drink soda almost every day. While some people have reduced their daily soda intake during meals, they still find it hard to resist the occasional fizz.
It is no news that a soda drink is not exactly nutrient-filled and has more sugar which can lead to adverse health effects.
Sodas are technically carbonated water with added sweeteners - sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and phosphoric acid which contribute to the taste of soda and extend its shelf life as well. A few sodas are fruit or flavour-based and there are a few exceptions like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper which have caffeine in them.
One can of soda drink has 155 calories contributed by 38 grams of carbohydrates, 37 grams of sugar, and 34 milligrams of caffeine. As this is very harmful, the American Heart Association has now recommended a cap of sugar intake of 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men.
As for caffeine, the Food and Drug Administration advises keeping it under 400 milligrams a day.
Sodas have several negative effects and when consumed in larger quantities, the high sugar content and artificial additives harm your body. Because of the high sugar content, the soda leads to excess calorie intake and also gains weight. Soda also leads to insulin resistance in the body raising the risk of diabetes.
The phosphoric acid in soda leaches into the calcium in bones and it increases the risk of osteoporosis over time. Even sugar-free sodas, they mostly contain aspartame and sucralose that affect your body metabolism.
Soda also causes digestive issues and it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, acid reflux, or exacerbate existing conditions. And with the caffeine content in it, there might be a dependency on the drink.
To avoid the negative effects created in the body through sodas, you can opt for healthier options like sparkling water, homemade infused water, and herbal teas.
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