There is a long list of Harmful Effects of Carbonated Drinks. Carbonated drinks are harmful to your health because they contain high levels of sugar. Carbonated drinks also have a high acidity level, which contributes to tooth decay. This is because carbonation can dissolve tooth enamel, which creates an acidic environment that makes teeth more vulnerable to acid erosion. A study on the effects of drinking soda found that drinking one can of soda per day was increases the 40% risk of kidney stones.
Following are some of the Harmful Effects of Carbonated Drinks which you should keep in view before drinking any soda:
1- Carbonated Drinks Reduces Bone Strength:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison studied that just one daily serving of a carbonated drink can reduce bone strength in adults. The study found that when bones are exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide, they start to lose calcium. Many people drink carbonated drinks daily without accounting for the negative impact it may have on their bones. Researchers found that the acid in these drinks lowers the pH balance of your mouth’s saliva, which causes tooth erosion. The lower pH levels strip away minerals from your teeth, including calcium and phosphates, crucial for building strong bones. Carbonated drinks lower the body’s ability to absorb calcium, which leads to weak bones and an increased risk of fracture. Eat Peanut Butter to keep Bones Strong.
2- Carbonated Drinks Increases Obesity:
Obesity is a global epidemic. With the exception of sub-Saharan Africa, obesity rates are higher than 50% in all other regions of the world. Obesity causes diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems which can decrease life expectancy by 10 years. A new study has found that carbonated drinks increase obesity rates. The study was done on rats and mice that were fed diets high in fat and sugar, which led to weight gain. Carbonated drinks have been a staple of American culture since the 1920s. However, these drinks may in fact be making us sick in more ways than one. Many carbonated beverages are loaded with sugar and artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Aspartame can lead to diabetes, cancers, infertility, and heart disease. One 2015 study revealed that there was an increased risk of obesity among people who drink three or more servings of soda every day.
3- Carbonated Drinks Causes Digestive System Problems:
The most common digestive problems that can arise from drinking carbonated drinks are indigestion, gas, and diarrhea. These problems occur because the stomach tries to break down bubbles in the drink faster than it can naturally process it. When this happens, the carbon dioxide builds up in the stomach which causes gas which then leads to unpleasant stomach pains or constipation. Carbonated drinks also contain high amounts of sugar which strain your body’s natural ability to digest food properly. A study has found that drinking carbonated drinks causes digestive system problems. According to the Daily Mail, scientists found that carbonated drinks can both irritate and inflame the lining of the stomach, which in turn prevents it from working properly.
4- Carbonated Drinks Causes Diabetes:
One of the most unignorable Harmful Effects of Carbonated Drinks is that they cause heart problems. Carbonation can cause a metabolic imbalance and lead to diabetes. Studies have shown that carbonation causes a decrease in the body’s ability to produce insulin, which is essential for regulating glucose levels in the blood. The more carbonated drinks you drink, the higher your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Drinking a diet soda with each meal and snack can increase your risk by 44%. If we cut out carbonated beverages from our lives, we could reduce the cases of diabetes and save billions in health care costs. Carbonated drinks like soda can cause diabetes by impacting the functioning of your pancreas and decreasing insulin production which causes problems with blood sugar regulation.
5- Carbonated Drinks Causes Heart Problems:
One of the most unignorable Harmful Effects of Carbonated Drinks is that they cause heart issues. Reports show that drinking carbonated beverages can lead to heart problems. According to a study conducted by the British Medical Journal, people who drink at least 2 liters of fizzy drinks each week are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. The World Health Organization released a study that found that nineteen of the top twenty countries with the highest rates of death related to cardiovascular disease were in nations where people consume the most carbonated drinks. A study found that people who drink two diet sodas per day are 74% more likely to suffer from vascular calcification. It means arterial hardening or the growth of calcium deposits on the artery walls.
6- Carbonated Drinks Causes Addiction:
Carbonated drinks can lead to addiction. Carbonation causes a release of the feel-good hormone dopamine. Studies show that drinking carbonated beverages is as addictive as cocaine and heroin. It causes serious withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. A study done in 2001 found that 21% of people who quit drinking soda experienced urge to consume it again. Carbonated drinks are often associated with feelings of relaxation. Some people even say it provides a feeling of euphoria.
Research has shown that there are many factors that contribute to the physical addiction to carbonated drinks such as caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners which produce a pleasurable sensation in the brain. Most people think that only soda is the only form of carbonated drink. This, however, is not the case. Soda can be carbonated or sugar-free and many other popular drinks such as sports drinks and fruit-flavored iced tea are also carbonated. Carbonation can cause addiction by simulating a natural high similar to drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana.
7- Carbonated Drinks Causes Cancer:
A recent study found that participants who drank carbonated drinks had higher rates of cancer than those who didn’t. The researchers suggest that it could be due to the high levels of sugar in these drinks. Carbonated drinks may also contain other chemicals that can cause cancer, such as benzoic acid or 4-methylimidazole. More and more research is coming out of the woodwork about drinking carbonated drinks. Carbonated beverages are found in many varieties, including sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, cocktails, beer, champagne, wine spritzers, etc.
Studies have shown that consuming one or more of these beverages per day can increase an individual’s risk for colon cancer. In a recently conducted study, participants who drank more than 1 soda a day increased their risk of developing cancer by up to 76% as compared to those who drank less than 1 soda a week. When individuals were also smoking, the risk increased by 179%. The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Harmful Effects of Carbonated Drinks on the human system and brain should not be overlooked. The more we know, the better we can make informed decisions about what we want to do with our health. Carbonated drinks such as soda cause a variety of detrimental side effects such as tooth decay and weight gain. For those who are considering quitting, there are ways to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms such as drinking lots of water or chewing sugarless gum. Carbonated drinks contain high levels of sugar, acid, and caffeine which can all have adverse effects on the body. They lead to an increased risk of depression, type 2 diabetes, dental erosion, and heart disease. Carbonated drinks contain phosphoric acid which may cause stomach problems. It is best to avoid these drinks if possible if you’re looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet.
