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The consumption of soft drinks can bring several health consequences, as they are composed of large amounts of sugar and components that can compromise the functioning of the body, such as phosphoric acid, corn syrup and potassium
In addition, soft drinks have no nutritional value and contain high amounts of salt, which favor fluid retention, lead to weight gain, a full belly and swollen legs.
Some of the main health consequences of soft drink consumption are:
1. Weight gain
Only one can of soda contains about 10 tablespoons of sugar, which greatly increases blood sugar levels and decreases the action of insulin in the body. Thus, if eaten regularly, soft drinks can promote weight gain and favor the development of diabetes in the long run.
In addition, when blood sugar levels rise too quickly, such as after drinking a can of soda, it is normal to feel more hungry, which encourages the person to eat and contributes to weight gain.
2. Weakening of bones and teeth
Most sodas contain a high amount of phosphoric acid that prevents the body from absorbing the calcium needed to strengthen bones. That way, people who drink sodas regularly can develop problems like cavities or osteoporosis.
This phosphoric acid also makes it difficult for the stomach to produce gastric acid, delaying the digestion process and nutrient absorption.
3. Kidney stones
Due to the acidity of soft drinks, the body needs to use calcium, which would be used in bones, to facilitate digestion and balance the pH.
Thus, the kidneys need to eliminate the calcium used in this process, which increases the risk of formation of kidney stones, due to the accumulation of calcium inside.
4. Increase in blood pressure
Soft drinks can lead to a gradual increase in blood pressure, especially due to their high amounts of sodium and caffeine. In addition, several studies indicate that excessive consumption of fructose, which is the sugar present in soft drinks, is also a major cause of high blood pressure.
5. Changes in the brain
This type of drink can lead to changes in the brain due to its caffeine content, since it stimulates various substances in the body that may be related to dementia and Alzheimer's, for example. In addition, caffeine can also cause insomnia, restlessness, tremors and headache.
Soft drinks also have another substance called sodium benzoate, which may also be related to changes in memory, motor coordination and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
6. Cancer
Because it is rich in sugar, frequent consumption of soda increases the risk of cancer, even in people who are underweight. In addition, its consumption favors weight gain and the development of diabetes, problems that are also related to the increased risk of cancer.
Why pregnant women and children should not take
Soda is bad in pregnancy because it causes abdominal discomfort, contributes to weight gain and can cause fluid retention. In addition, cola-based soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have a lot of caffeine, which during pregnancy cannot exceed 200 mg per day. If the pregnant woman drinks 2 cups of coffee in a day, she can no longer drink caffeine.
Soft drinks that have caffeine should also not be drunk while breastfeeding because caffeine passes into breast milk and can cause insomnia in the baby.
In children, on the other hand, soda can make physical and mental development difficult, as well as facilitating the appearance of diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Soft drinks should be excluded from the baby's diet, and fruit juices, in addition to water, can be chosen for adequate liquid intake.
How to replace soft drinks
One way to replace soda is by consuming flavored water, also known as flavored water. This is because sparkling water and fruit, such as lemon, strawberry or orange, for example, are used, which can remind us of the flavor of the soda. Check out some flavored water recipes.
See the health benefits of sparkling water by watching the following video: