So, you love soda. And you feel that you deserve that sweet treat every once in a while.
But, did you know how much sugar is in a 12-ounce Coke? 39 grams or 9.75 teaspoons. Whoa! That’s a lot of sugar.
According to the American Heart Association, women should not consume more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar in a day and men should limit themselves to a maximum of 9 teaspoons per day.
That means that if you drink just one can of soda, you will exceed your maximum daily sugar allowance.
If this isn’t motivating enough to make you give up your soda habit, take a look at some of the other harmful effects that soft drinks have on your body.
1. Soda Makes You Gain Weight
If you’re trying to lose weight, soda should be the first thing you should remove from your diet because it leads directly to weight gain.
Soda not only makes you exceed your daily limit of added sugar, but it also increases your overall calorie intake as well.
In addition, the fructose present in these drinks doesn’t make you feel full. It’s the main reason why they are often called ‘empty calories.’
Unfortunately, when you drink soda, you end up consuming more calories than you usually do, which in the long run leads to weight gain.
Research also suggests that the consumption of fizzy drinks causes an increase in the production of ghrelin – the hunger hormone. As a result, you feel hungry and eat more. Not a great way to lose those extra pounds!
2. Soda Adversely Affects Your Liver
One of the major harmful effects of soft drinks on your body is that it can negatively affect the functioning of your liver.
Soda contains a high amount of fructose, a type of sugar that can only be metabolized by the liver. When there is too much sugar in the body, it gets stored in the liver in the form of lipid.
This can eventually cause the buildup of fat in the liver leading to fatty liver disease.
3. Soda Increases the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
A research study published by the American Diabetes Association reported that people who drink one or more sugary beverages every day have a 26% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
This happens due to an increase in the dietary glycemic load, which leads to insulin resistance and can also cause the beta-cells (cells that produce insulin) to become dysfunctional.
So, kick the soda habit to lower your odds of developing diabetes.
4. Soda Dehydrates Your Body
Soda often contains caffeine, which can dehydrate your body. When our cells are dehydrated, it becomes difficult for them to absorb nutrients and to remove waste from the body.
Dehydration, over time, can lead to:
- Infrequent urination, which then increases the risk of kidney stones
- Bowel, kidney, and liver dysfunction
- Bad breath
- Dry skin
- Constant fatigue
- Overeating
Final Thoughts
These are only some of the many harmful effects of soft drinks on your body. The high amount of sugar and the chemicals (such as phosphorus) present in these sugary carbonated drinks can contribute to many chronic diseases, such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease, not to mention the risks it poses to your health by causing weight gain.
So, the next time you’re tempted to reach for that can of sugary soda, try replacing it with water instead. You’ll certainly feel healthier, happier, and your waistline will thank you!
