Soda should be consumed in moderation. Many types of soda contain caffeine and are high in sugar. Sugarless varieties contain artificial sweeteners. In an article by Susan Hubbard in NewsMax Health, the National Soft Drink Association says that Americans drink more than 600 servings (12 ounces each) of soda each year. A 2009 article in the Los Angeles Times written by Kelly Brownell and David Ludwig says that Americans drink an average 50 gallons of sweetened beverages each year. By the mid-1990s, children were consuming more sugared beverages than milk.
Obesity
Obesity is on the rise, and so is the rate of soda consumption. A 12-ounce can of Cherry Coke Classic contains 150 calories and 42 grams of sugar, which amounts to 10 teaspoons of sugar, according to the Coca Cola Company's website These calories add up easily, because most people pay closest attention to calories in food, not drinks.
Diabetes
Being overweight increases one's chance of developing type II diabetes, and excess calorie consumption from soda can add on the pounds.
Case for a Soda Tax
According to Ludwig and Brownell's article in the Los Angeles Times, a 1 cent per ounce tax on sugary beverages would raise around $150 billion over 10 years. Money raised by the soda tax could be spent on health-care costs for soda-related conditions.
Caffeine in Soda
The caffeine in soda can provide the soda drinker with a quick "pick me up" and a burst of energy. But caffeine also can be addictive, and excess caffeine can raise blood pressure and cause nervousness, irritability, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, heartburn, anxiety and palpitations, according to ABC News. A high caffeine intake is 500 mg daily, a medium intake is 250 to 500 mg, and a low intake is less than 250 mg. A 12-ounce can of Coca Cola has 34.5 mg, but the amounts can add up if other caffeinated beverages are also consumed. Also, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others.
Benzene in Soda
Benzene can form under certain conditions in soft drinks, according to the American Beverage Association's website. Although the quantities are low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that benzene can causes cells not to work correctly. Bone marrow may not make sufficient red blood cells, or the immune system could be altered. The CDC website says the seriousness of benzene poisoning depends on the quantity consumed and duration of exposure, as well as the age and medical condition of the exposed person.
References
- "NewsMax Health"; 9 Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda Now; Sylvia Booth Hubbard; Friday, April 9, 2010 7:52 AM
- "American Beverage Association"; Benzene, Soft Drinks & Benzene, 2010
- "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention"; Emergency Preparedness and Response, Facts About Benzene; February 22, 2006
- "The Coca-Cola Company"; nutrition: connection, Coca-Cola Cherry, 2009
- "Los Angeles Times"; The soda-tax solution; Kelly D. Brownell and David S. Ludwig, October 06, 2009
