By: Bethany Barich (Follow on Instagram & Twitter)
According to POPSUGAR, average people drink 56 gallons of soda a year. We all know that sugary soda drinks can lead to cavities and a few more calories than we were planning to consume. What some may not know, though, is that even the zero calories, regular or diet, caffeine filled or free, is still dangerous for our bodies.
Guys.. there is a LOT of sugar and high fructose corn syrup in sodas. Check this out:
So take a look at 5 reasons why you should finally quit consuming soda for good!
1. Weight Gain
First, soda drinks have a negative effect on our metabolism. This then results in our bodies having a harder time burning fat. The sugars in soda also do not make us feel full, thus we continue to drink it and add onto it with eating foods. Having an intake of one or two sodas a day will lead to having a waist expansion to unhealthy levels. Other studies have found that those who drank soda instead of healthier options like milk or water had fat deposits in higher amounts. Even worse, was that these deposits were found in their muscles and liver – which could eventually lead to even bigger and bad health risks.
2. Heart Disease
A study found that those who consumed one soda drink a day increased their risk of having a heart attack by 20% after a 22-year period. Originally the link between soda and heart disease was founded in the 60s and 70s, and obviously, since then it’s become not only a risk for that but for other cardiovascular diseases. Due to the fat that eventually will build up on the liver, a metabolic disease can be contracted and that, in time, can lead to developing heart disease.
3. Diabetes
Type 2-diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world, affecting over hundreds of millions of people. Insulin resistance causes diabetes, and type 2 is characterized by the elevated blood sugars found in our bodies. So the link here is that continuing to consume soda on a daily basis can increase your risk of developing the disease. 150 calories can lead a one percent increase of developing the disease if the routine goes on.
4. Teeth Killer
One of the biggest causes of cavities is sugar, that’s a fact, and what has an abundance of sugar? Soda. However, soda also has acids like phosphoric and carbonic. These acids make our mouths extremely acidic and cause our teeth to be vulnerable to decay. Along with that, other sugars can make harmful bacteria reside in our mouths, which could lead to even bigger issues in the future.
5. Dementia
Not only is soda awful for our physical health but it can seriously damage our mental health too. Studies have found that increased blood sugar is associated with the risk of having dementia or other neurodegenerative problems – the most common of those being Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming soda can impair our memory and have a negative impact on our decision-making capabilities. Certain preservatives found in soda can also lead to nerve disorders in the future.
