Hard Facts about Soft Drinks
For many people there is nothing more refreshing than a cold bottle or can of their favorite soft drink. In the United States soft drinks have become America’s favorite beverages - they have become more popular than coffee, tea and juice combined.
Soft drinks have been part of the American culture for over a century, but their popularity has increased dramatically. In fact, compared to just 25 years ago, Americans are now drinking twice as much soft drinks - an average of 56 gallons a year! That is nearly 2 cans a day for every man, woman, and child. Amazing as it may sound, the average American consumes more soft drinks than water!
Have you ever wondered if these drinks have any impact on your personal health? Research suggests that these soft drinks present personal health risks, both because of what they contain and what they replace in the diet.
Let’s look at some of the problems.
Sugar
Carbonated drinks are the single largest source of refined sugars in the American diet. In fact more than one third of our sugar consumption is from soft drinks. The average drink contains about 1 teaspoon of sugar per once. Many people tell me they don’t eat many sweets but when questioned further admit to drinking a number of “sodas” a day.
Sugary drinks are one reason for frequent colds and infections. Scientific evidence has shown that sugar impairs the white blood cell’s ability to fight infections. Because of this effect on the immune system which fights off infections, I often tell people it is like sending their soldiers to the battle with their hands tied behind their backs.
Because there is no fiber in the soft drinks the sugar is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream raising the blood sugar and giving a temporary boost of energy. When the blood sugar level goes up, insulin enters the bloodstream to pull the raised blood sugar back down, and energy levels drop. This sequence promotes the cycle of reaching for another, and yet another soft drink or other sugary snack.
Everyone knows sugar is also one of the factors contributing to tooth decay.
Weight Gain
Because of the high sugar content soft drinks contain a lot of calories and almost no other nutrition. With the average soft drink (12 oz) containing 150 calories the typical American will take in enough calories to gain 30 pounds a year!! People are often surprised when after taking their history I tell them they are malnourished. They may look very healthy. But when I know how many calories they are taking in soft drinks I know that if they have to be limiting their intake of nutritious food to make a balanced diet. They are taking in so many calories that they have “lost their appetite.”
Diet Drinks
It is no wonder diet drinks have become so popular! But are they a good solution? They certainly do cut the calories. But studies show they may not do as well at avoiding weight gain as you would think. One study of over 75,000 women found that those who used artificial sweeteners were significantly more likely than non-users to gain weight over time. Another study found that diet soda drinkers ate more food and gained more weight than they had when they were free to drink regular sugar-sweetened soft drinks. The researchers concluded that these artificial sweeteners increase both hunger and appetite.
Chemicals
Nearly all soft drinks contain chemical additives for color, flavor, preservation and effect. It is estimated that worldwide, people are “drinking” 20,6000,000 tons of chemicals from soft drinks every year! That is nearly 9 pounds for every man, woman and child!
Six of the seven most popular soft drinks contain caffeine. Just a few of the problems from caffeine are headaches, indigestion, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and a rapid heart rate.
Most of the drinks that do not contain caffeine still contain phosphoric acid, a powerful chemical used to etch glass. The phosphorous is eliminated through the kidneys by combining it with calcium. This contributes to the development of osteoporosis with it’s possibility of broken bones. It also contributes to the formation of kidney stones.
One out of 5 one and two year old children are already consuming soft drinks. Because of their relatively small weight the effects of the sugar and chemicals are greatly exaggerated.
What should I drink?
God has provided us with something better. Pure water is the perfect beverage. It quenches thirst, contains no calories to add unwanted weight, and no caffeine, It’s readily available, and it’s cheap!
It is recommended that you drink enough to keep the urine almost a clear color - about six to eight glasses for most people.
Scripture says, “Why do you spend money...for what does not satisfy?...Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Isaiah 55:1