What Are The Health Effects Of Drinking Too Much Soda Pop?

Soda has many adverse effects, making it a beverage you should consume sparingly. While some believe that diet soda is better, it, too, has negative health effects and leads many people to make poor diet choices because they feel like the diet soda gives them license to indulge.

Weight Gain

Soft drinks are high in calories, but they do not satisfy you like food does, leading many to unknowingly take in more calories than they need. This can lead to weight gain, which increases your risk for other health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

Caffeine Effects

The caffeine found in soda can have negative side effects ranging from mild to serious. The Mayo Clinic reports that even small amounts of caffeine may make you jittery, with a raised heart rate and muscle tremors. Other side effects of caffeine include insomnia, nervousness, restlessness and irritability.

Tooth Decay

The bacteria that cause cavities use sugar as fuel, so drinking sugary sodas can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems. The dyes used to color sodas can also lead to the yellowing of your teeth, especially when soda is consumed frequently.

Osteoporosis

Soft drinks may contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Soda frequently replaces milk as a beverage, leading you to consume less calcium, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. In addition, experts are exploring the hypothesis that the phosphoric acid and caffeine in soda may leech calcium from your bones, making them brittle and leading to osteoporosis.

Other Effects

Soda may also cause other health side effects, including contributing to the development of kidney stones. In addition, according to the American Heart Association, frequent consumption of diet soda is connected to deaths from stroke, heart attack and other heart complications. Finally, soda may contribute to a condition known as metabolic syndrome, which presents with symptoms like high blood pressure, weight gain primarily around the waist, and high cholesterol.