According to statistical data, soda is now consumed more commonly than ever before, accounting for over a quarter of all possible drinks sold in the U.S. Namely, only in 2000, over 15 billion gallons were sold, meaning that each woman, man or a child drank around 12-ounce can on a daily basis.

However, the worst thing about it all is that these cans of soda are a source of numerous health conditions, and should be avoided at any cost. These are their effects on your health and body:

Heartburn and acid reflux

The excess consumption of soda leads to heartburn, as it, just like numerous other carbonated drinks, is extremely acidic. Moreover, they bring large amounts of carbon dioxide, which leads to distension of your stomach, and it is linked to more reflux.

Diabetes

As soda drinks lead to weight gain, they are related to diabetes as well. Moreover, their consumption stresses the ability of the body to process sugar. It is even suspected that this is the explanation why the number of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes in the United States has tripled from 6.6 million to 20.8 million in three decades.

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

The consumption of large amounts of soda, regardless of its type, diet or regular, also causes a rise in blood pressure.

Heart disease

People who regularly consume sodas have a higher risk to develop cardiovascular diseases.

According to numerous studies, the consumption of a soda a day is related to an elevated risk of developing metabolic syndrome — a group of symptoms  like elevated fasting blood sugar, reduces levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol, central obesity, high blood pressure, and increased fasting triglycerides.

If you experience three of more of these issues, your risk of developing a heart disease or diabetes is significantly elevated.

Liver damage

You liver is subjected to great damage in the case of consumption of soda drinks. Their excess consumption raises the risk of developing liver cirrhosis similar to the one in the case of chronic alcoholics.

Impaired digestion (gastrointestinal distress)

These issues involve moderate to severe gastric inflammation with potential erosion of the stomach lining and raised stomach acid levels requiring acid inhibitors.

The consumption of sodas, particularly on an empty stomach, disturbs the stomach’s acid-alkaline balance and another gastric lining, forming a continuous acid environment. If you stomach’s environment is acid for a longer period, you may suffer an inflammation of the duodenal lining or the stomach.

Kidney stones and chronic kidney disease

All different types of Colas are rich in phosphoric acid, which is a substance supports the formation of kidney stones and changes the urine thus. The consumption of only a quart (less than three 12-ounce cans) of soda in a week raises the chances of developing kidney stones by 15%.

Osteoporosis

Since they are high in phosphoric acid, soft drinks are related to a weakening of the bone structure or osteoporosis. This is because these drinks reduce the levels of calcium and raise the phosphate levels in the blood. When calcium is reduced, but phosphate is in increased amounts, the bones lose calcium.

Weight gain

Sodas are linked to obesity as well. Only a can on a daily basis causes over a pound of weight gain in a month. Moreover, you need to be aware that if you drink a diet soft drink, you will not lose weight. Namely, they contain artificial sweeteners which bring about numerous hormonal and physiologic responses that in fact lead to weight gain.

Tooth decay

The consumption of these drinks will significantly dissolve your tooth enamel, and they have doubled or tripled the cases of tooth decay. Moreover, their acidity is far worse than solid sugar found in candy for your teeth.

Undoubtedly, soda is one of the most harmful drinks you can consume as it is extremely high in sugars, and, or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are the richest sources of calories.

USDA estimates that the per capita consumption of HFCS was around 40 pounds annually as of 2007, mostly from soda. Additionally, in the U.S., the high fructose corn syrup found in soft drinks is the major source of calories.

As soon as they learned that the production of HFCS was inexpensive, manufacturers started to replace the sweeteners from sucrose (table sugar) to corn syrup in the 1970s. Although it is only 20% sweeter than table sugar, the introduction of HFCS significantly modified the American diet.

However, fortunately, the elimination of these harmful drinks from your diet is easy, so you should avoid it as soon as possible, and thus reduce the potential risks to your health.

Namely, as these drinks raise the levels of insulin, which are the source of numerous chronic diseases, like:

• Diabetes
• Premature aging
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Heart disease

Moreover, as we mentioned above, these dangerous drinks lead to an increased risk of cancer. According to numerous studies, sugar is related to raised cancer rates, since the regulation consumption decelerates tumor growth.

A human study included 10 healthy people. Scientists examined their fasting blood-glucose levels, as well as the phagocytic index of neutrophils, which shows the ability of immune cells to envelop and kill invaders like cancer.

The consumption of 100 grams of carbohydrates from honey, orange juice, glucose, sucrose all greatly reduced the potential of neutrophils to engulf bacteria.

Additionally, another study which lasted 4 years and was conducted at the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection in the Netherlands examined 111 biliary tract cancer patients and 480 controls. Their found that the risk of cancer linked to the intake of sugars was even more than doubled in the case of cancer patients.

Numerous studies have found a link between the consumption of sugar and numerous cancer types, including:

Colon cancer — One study found that women who drink a high dietary glycemic load raise the chances of developing colorectal (colon) cancer. Glycemic load is a measure of the speed of the conversion of food’s carbohydrates into sugars by the body (glycemic index apropos the amount of carbohydrates per serving.

A study included over 38,450 women who were examined for around eight years. T

hese women filled out questionnaires regarding their diet and eating habits, so scientists could investigate the link between overall dietary glycemic index, non-fiber carbohydrate, sucrose, dietary glycemic load, fiber, fructose and carbohydrate, and the development of colon cancer.

Furthermore, it has been found that women who consumed the most high-glycemic-load foods had three times higher risk of developing colon cancer.

Breast cancer — An epidemiological study conducted in 21 modern countries(North America, Europe, Japan and others) that control the morbidity and mortality rates, showed that the consumption of sugar leads to an increased risk of breast cancer, especially in women.

Throat cancer – This kind of cancer is extremely difficult to fight against since over 90% of patients with invasive esophageal cancer lose the battle in 5 years after the diagnosis.

According to research, the risk of developing esophageal cancer is elevated in people who drink soda. Namely, researchers discovered a relation between the growing number of esophageal cancer patients and the increased consumption of these drinks in the last two decades.

Therefore, in order to avoid all these harmful influences and promote your own health, you must avoid soda. Simply substitute soft drinks, as well as any other sugary beverages, with water.

In order to reduce your cancer risk, prevent numerous diseases, long-term chronic health conditions and improve your health, you should regulate your insulin levels. Instead, eat a healthy and balanced diet and make sure you exercise regularly.

Source: articles.mercola.com
Reference: www.healthy-holistic-living.com