Soft drinks, also known as soda, colas or pops, have long been the subject of studies evaluating their effect on your health. While the evidence shows that sodas can increase your risks of developing obesity and diabetes, there is also evidence that drinking a lot of soda can hurt your kidneys. If you drink too much soda, you may want to cut back to lessen the risk.
Cola
Colas, those dark colored soft drinks, contain a lot of phosphoric acid, a substance linked to kidney stones, according to Anahad O'Connor of "The New York Times." Evidence to support this claim comes from a 2007 study published in the journal "Epidemiology" in which researchers examined the relationship between kidney disease and dietary habits. The study showed that people who drank two or more colas a day, diet or nondiet, had a much higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease than those who did not.
Noncola Drinks
Noncola soft drinks may have a different effect on your kidneys. The 2007 study also showed that noncola carbonated drinks, such as clear sodas, do not increase a person's chances of developing kidney disease. Further, according to a 2006 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," colas are associated with a low bone mineral density in older women, while noncola carbonated beverages are not.
Diet Soda
Another study shows that diet-soda drinkers may not be any better off when it comes to protecting their kidneys. According to an ongoing study conducted by researchers at various research institutions known as the Nurses' Health Study, women who drank two diet sodas per day were far more likely to have decreased kidney functions than women who drank one or fewer diet sodas a day.
Other Considerations
Apart from the potential damage to your kidneys, drinking too much soda poses other health risks. Sodas can be high in calories, with a single can holding 140 calories or more, according to MayoClinic.com. Drinking too much soda can be a contributing factor in developing Type 2 diabetes and becoming obese, and can also contribute to osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome. Artificially sweetened sodas may be no better; people who drink them may be more likely to have increased sugar cravings even though the drinks have few or no calories.
References
- The New York Times: The Claim: Too Much Cola Can Cause Kidney Problems; Anahad Oconnor; January 22, 2008
- PubMed.gov: Colas, But Not Other Carbonated Beverages...
- Shot's, NPR's Health Blog: Diet Sodas May Hurt Kidneys; Scott Hensley; November 3, 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Soda Consumption Linked to Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Other Health Concerns; August 13, 2010
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