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| You've GOT to be Kidding me! |
With its sweet, bubbly, refreshing taste, soda pop has been a favorite drink for many. Between the caffeine acting as a diuretic and the sugar interfering with the body's absorption of fluids, it makes us even thirstier. Couple that with the pick me up effects of caffeine, it is almost addicting. What was once touted as pharmaceutical remedies for various ailments is now causing health problems among old and young alike. With research uncovering the dangers of soda pop, can we continue to close our eyes? The consumption of soda is leading our children to an early grave.
Old-fashioned Soda Counter
The History of Soda
In 1809, the imitation mineral water was born. The combination of sodium bicarbonate and acid produced the effervescence that adds to soda's refreshing taste. In hopes of finding remedies for various ailments, pharmacists across American and Europe experimented with different ingredients. Different flavors like root beer, sarsaparilla, ginger ale, lemon, and other fruit flavors were constantly appearing on the market. In the 1830's, soda pop was finally bottled in glass containers. However, it was difficult to cap, until the 1850 when a manual capping and filling machine was invented.
In the 1880's, manufactures began experiment with adding stimulants like cola nuts and coca leaves. Bolivian workers chewed on coca leaves to ward off fatigue, and West African workers chewed on cola nuts as a stimulant.
In 1886, Coca Cola was developed by John Slyth Pemberton. Containing coca nuts, it was originally marketed as a headache reliever and brain tonic. Since cocaine is derivative of coca leaves, it also had a small amount of cocaine in it. Although it is unknown how much cocaine was in coca cola, between the coca leaves and sugar, it became a popular drink.
Shortly after the invention of Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola was invented 1893 by Caleb Bradham. Unlike Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola contained cola nuts. Pepsi advertised as being a remedy for stomach ailments because of the cola nuts and pepsin, a digestive enzyme.
Throughout the years, soda pop became more and more popular. With the advent of the crown cap in 1892, bottlers were able to successfully contain the gaseous fluids. Following the crown cap, in 1899, the first patent was issued for an automatic glass blowing machine. Prior to that, bottles had to be hand-blown. Between these two inventions, lovers of the bubbly fluids were now able to consume the liquids at home instead of at the pharmacies. In the 1920's, six pack carrying cartons called Hom-Paks were invented, and in the same year, the soda pop began to be sold in vending machines. By 1957, the first aluminum can were used. By 1959, the first diet soda was sold. As the drinks became more popular and it became easier and easier to market them, the industry grew in leaps and bounds.
In 1886, Coca Cola was developed by John Slyth Pemberton. Containing coca nuts, it was originally marketed as a headache reliever and brain tonic. Since cocaine is derivative of coca leaves, it also had a small amount of cocaine in it. Although it is unknown how much cocaine was in coca cola, between the coca leaves and sugar, it became a popular drink.
Shortly after the invention of Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola was invented 1893 by Caleb Bradham. Unlike Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola contained cola nuts. Pepsi advertised as being a remedy for stomach ailments because of the cola nuts and pepsin, a digestive enzyme.
Throughout the years, soda pop became more and more popular. With the advent of the crown cap in 1892, bottlers were able to successfully contain the gaseous fluids. Following the crown cap, in 1899, the first patent was issued for an automatic glass blowing machine. Prior to that, bottles had to be hand-blown. Between these two inventions, lovers of the bubbly fluids were now able to consume the liquids at home instead of at the pharmacies. In the 1920's, six pack carrying cartons called Hom-Paks were invented, and in the same year, the soda pop began to be sold in vending machines. By 1957, the first aluminum can were used. By 1959, the first diet soda was sold. As the drinks became more popular and it became easier and easier to market them, the industry grew in leaps and bounds.
Teenager Consumption of Soda
Today teenagers and children are the largest consumers of soda. They drink twice as much pop as they do milk, yet twenty years ago the situation was reverse. Studies have shown that teenage boys drink three or more cans per day and 10% drink more than seven cans per day. Likewise, teenage girls drink more than 2 cans per day and 10% drink more than five cans per day. When we where kids, having a soda was a real treat! And it was ONE soda, I remember RC back in the 60's and none of these refill soda fountains like all the gas stations have.
Obesity and Soda Consumption
This increased consumption of soda pop is causing numerous health problems for our children such as obesity, an increase in diabetes, bone loss, dental caries, and other problems. Children today are less active, even when compared to a few years ago. The trend of decreasing activity and the increasing problems of being overweight or obese may result in children not living as long. Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rates are increasing. In the United States, 25% of our children are overweight and 11 % are obese. When our children are already struggling with weight issues, should we let them consume calorie laden drinks that have absolutely no nutritional value?
When children consume sugary liquids, research shows that children who drink sugary liquids are fatter than the ones who don't drink them. Research has also shown that children who drink at least 8 ounces of sugary
liquids per day tend to eat more than the ones who don't drink sugary liquids. With these children, they either lack the ability to control their food intake or the additional sugar causes their insulin levels to rise and makes them hungrier.
When children consume sugary liquids, research shows that children who drink sugary liquids are fatter than the ones who don't drink them. Research has also shown that children who drink at least 8 ounces of sugary
liquids per day tend to eat more than the ones who don't drink sugary liquids. With these children, they either lack the ability to control their food intake or the additional sugar causes their insulin levels to rise and makes them hungrier.
Diabetes and Soda Consumption Being overweight contributes to their chances of developing diabetes later in life and now. There is a direct relationship between obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In one study done on women, just one soda a day increases the chance of developing diabetes 85 %.
In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes insulin resistant, and it can no longer use the insulin efficiently. Where as the rule of thumb for diabetes used to be "fair, fat, and forty," now our children are developing diabetes at an increasing rate.
Is Diet Soda the Answer?
Even if people switch to diet soda, weight gain still remains a problem. In one study done by a scientist at the University of Texas in 2005, it was found that people who drink a lot of diet soda are prone to becoming overweight than those which drink the sugar-laden soda. In tracking 1,777 people over seven to eight year period, none of the participants were obese when the study began. Yet, when the study was over, obesity increased by 41% for each can of diet soda consumed.
Furthermore, there was another disturbing study published by the International Journal of Obesity in 2004. In this study, there were two groups of rats. One group was fed sugar-laden fluid for a snack. The other group was fed a snack which was a mixture of sugar and artificial sweeteners. The rats which ate after the mixed fluid snack ate far more than the other group of rates. This led researchers to believe that artificial sweeteners may disturb the body's natural regulation of caloric intake.
Furthermore, there was another disturbing study published by the International Journal of Obesity in 2004. In this study, there were two groups of rats. One group was fed sugar-laden fluid for a snack. The other group was fed a snack which was a mixture of sugar and artificial sweeteners. The rats which ate after the mixed fluid snack ate far more than the other group of rates. This led researchers to believe that artificial sweeteners may disturb the body's natural regulation of caloric intake.
Bone Loss and Soda Consumption
If obesity and diabetes were not enough, soda can also cause the loss of bone mass and softening of the teeth. The body requires even levels of phosphoric acid and calcium. Although phosphoric acid is a necessary component of bone, if you have too much of it in your body, bone-weakening effects occur.
Soda contains phosphoric acid. If you ingest too much, phosphoric acid, the excess binds with calcium in the blood. When it binds with calcium, calcium is unavailable for other purposes. Consequently, your body thinks it doesn't have enough calcium, and it leaches calcium from your bones. In addition to leaching calcium, phosphoric acid also neutralizes hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Thus, it interferes with digestion and the ability to utilize nutrients. At a time when our children should be gaining bone mass, they're losing it instead if they drink a lot of soda.
Soda contains phosphoric acid. If you ingest too much, phosphoric acid, the excess binds with calcium in the blood. When it binds with calcium, calcium is unavailable for other purposes. Consequently, your body thinks it doesn't have enough calcium, and it leaches calcium from your bones. In addition to leaching calcium, phosphoric acid also neutralizes hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Thus, it interferes with digestion and the ability to utilize nutrients. At a time when our children should be gaining bone mass, they're losing it instead if they drink a lot of soda.
Are Aluminum Cans Dangerous?
Furthermore, soda comes in aluminum cans. Too much aluminum can also cause bone loss. Aluminum is able to bind with both calcium and phosphoric acid and is excreted through the urine. The aluminum can also coat the bones. When this happens, osteomalacia or softening of the bones can occur. Aluminum is also implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Although the aluminum can is coated with plastic on the inside, there may still be a possibility aluminum leaches into the soda.
Caffeine in Sodas
- Erowid Caffeine Vault : Content in Beverages
Information on the caffeine content of various beverages.
Caffeine and Soda Consumption
Caffeine is another culprit in soda. Caffeine acts as a diuretic. Caffeine consumption increases the urinary excretion of calcium. Accordingly, even more calcium is lost from the body. In addition to the loss of calcium, caffeine has other negative side effects.
Caffeine can also act as a central nervous system stimulant. It increases blood pressure and accelerates the heart rate and breathing. It also increases our alertness and energy. However, when caffeine is used excessively; insomnia, diarrhea, and stomach irritation can occur. When its use is discontinued, irritability and lethargy
Caffeine can also act as a central nervous system stimulant. It increases blood pressure and accelerates the heart rate and breathing. It also increases our alertness and energy. However, when caffeine is used excessively; insomnia, diarrhea, and stomach irritation can occur. When its use is discontinued, irritability and lethargy
Carbon Acid and Soda Consumption
Another harmful ingredient in soda is carbon acids. Carbon acids can increase the acidity of blood. When your body chemistry becomes acidic, it can open the door to other diseases. Both cancer and arthritis are more prone to develop in acidic conditions.
Tooth Decay and Soda Consumption
Tooth Decay and Soda Consumption
Last but not least, tooth decay is on the rise too, and soda is culprit blamed. Soda consists of simple carbohydrates. The bacteria in our mouths ferment the carbohydrates and create an acid. When this acid is created, it destroys the enamel on our teeth. The higher consumption of sugary drinks, the greater the risk for tooth decay. The tooth decay can be reduced somewhat by brushing your teeth more often and drinking soda through a straw.
Conclusion
Although the bubbly, sweet, refreshing taste of soda is addictive mentally if not physically, can we continue to drink it with the knowledge of its effects? Will you continue to buy it at the store knowing it is harming your children? When you think about whether you will continue to buy and drink soda, here are another two facts to consider. Without reiterating the other negative effects, diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. The fourth deadliest disease involves respiratory disorders. If your child had a respiratory disorder, would you subject them to noxious fumes?
So What to drink? How about a 20oz. refreshing cool glass of Kangen 9.5 ionized water! Filled with Kangen crackling ice cubes loaded with anti-oxidants and energy micro-clustered to perfection! I'm thirsty just thinking about it.
So What to drink? How about a 20oz. refreshing cool glass of Kangen 9.5 ionized water! Filled with Kangen crackling ice cubes loaded with anti-oxidants and energy micro-clustered to perfection! I'm thirsty just thinking about it.
