From a late-night movie companion to a refreshing beverage on an especially hot and tiring day, soda is truly a blessing for many of us. On an average, Americans individually spend $125 annually on soda, and if Satista’s reports are anything to go by, that number is only going to increase in the future.
Artem Beliaikin/Pexels | Irrespective of how much you enjoy them, carbonated drinks are are packed with sugar, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners, and are very unhealthy
Looking at the way soda is consumed in every household, one might think of it as a healthy option but in reality, it’s not good for regular consumption. Gina McArdle, a registered dietitian, points out that most carbonated drinks are packed with sugar, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners and when consumed regularly, these ingredients can harm our bodies in several ways.
Soda can increase your appetite
Generally, when we consume something to satisfy our hunger or cravings, we wouldn’t expect it to actually have the opposite effect. However, in soda’s case, our appetite increases rapidly after consumption, meaning you’ll feel hungry on a more regular basis.
According to a review of studies published in the American Journal of Public Health, a link was found between soda consumption and energy intake. Another study showed participants who consumed soda daily ate 17% more food than they would otherwise.
Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels | When you have soda regularly, your appetite increases rapidly, meaning you’ll feel hungry more often
Soda can lead to heart diseases
Did you know that the relief you feel after gulping chilled soda could actually be harmful to your heart? No, we aren’t kidding!
Since sodas are packed with sugar (containing around 39 grams per serving), they cross the maximum recommended daily sugar intake for both men and women (36 grams for men and 25 grams for women daily). This is why there’s long been an association between sugar and high blood pressure. Irina Todorov, an integrative medicine physician, puts it bluntly—the more sugar we consume, the more susceptible we are to heart diseases.
Kindel Media/Pexels | Drinking soda regularly can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis, especially among women
Soda might increase your chances of developing arthritis
We all wish to stay young forever and to have strong bones joints just like we used to have in our youth. But do you know consuming carbonated drinks can put that dream at risk?
As per the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking soda regularly can increase the likelihood of people, especially women, developing arthritis. Again, like heart diseases, the sugar content in carbonated drinks can cause harm to our joints and make them weak, increasing the chances of developing arthritis.
Bottom Line!
Having a glass or two of soda occasionally is perfectly normal, but consuming it daily can give rise to a lot of unwanted diseases that none of us are prepared to bear for the rest of our lives. So be smart, and choose the products you consume wisely!
