People in the United States consume more soda than anyone else in the world -- a whopping 46 gallons a year per person as of 2009, reports the publication "Adweek." Soft drink consumption may be one contributor to today's obesity epidemic and can negatively impact health in other ways, as well.
Weight Gain
Perhaps the most obvious drawback of soda consumption is the calories. One 12-oz. soda provides 140 calories, all of which can be attributed to sugar. People who drink soda regularly tend to consume more calories each day than those who do not and typically experience weight gain, according to the Mayo Clinic. For example, drinking two cans of soda each day can result in a weight gain of over 2 lb. a month if you're already eating enough calories to maintain your weight.
Disease
Soda consumption is linked to a variety of diseases, including pancreatic cancer, diabetes and heart disease. In fact, ScienceDaily reports that drinking just two soft drinks a week doubles your risk for pancreatic cancer, according to researcher Mark Pereira, Ph.D. in a 2010 study published in the journal "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention." The likely reasons that soda causes disease are multifaceted, including an increase of insulin levels, poor overall blood sugar control and an increase in inflammation.
Bones and Teeth
If you drink soft drinks on a regular basis, it is likely that you drink less milk than someone who does not. As a result, you may have lower calcium levels, which are linked to osteoporosis. Sodas don't affect your bones only by discouraging calcium consumption, however. It is likely that phosphoric acid and caffeine can contribute to a loss of calcium in your bones. Exposure to phosphoric acid also can lead to the erosion of the enamel on your teeth.
Diet Soda
Diet sodas, rather than being a benign addition to your diet, are instead the lesser of two evils. Diet soft drinks, even though they do not contain sugar, still have the phosphoric acid that contributes to calcium loss and tooth enamel erosion. The non-nutritive sweeteners found in diet sodas are acidic and may increase the risk that the enamel on your teeth will become eroded, as well. Also, the Harvard School of Public Health points out that the sweeteners in diet soda may lead to weight gain because they confuse the brain's ability to determine whether you are eating the right amount of calories, causing you to, in fact, eat more.
References
- "Adweek"; Soft Drink Consumption Continues to Decline; Noreen O'Leary; March 30, 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Soda Consumption Linked to Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Other Health Concerns; Aug. 13, 2010
- ScienceDaily; Soft Drink Consumption May Markedly Increase Risk of Pancreatic Cancer; Feb. 9, 2010
- Harvard School of Public Health: Sugary Drinks or Diet Drinks: What's the Best Choice?
- "The Journal of the American Dental Association"; Diet and Tooth Decay; 2002
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