On a hot summer day, the very thought of a chilled bottle of an aerated drink (cold drink) is very refreshing. In fact now-a-days you see anyone and everyone holding a bottle either with lunch, snacks or by itself. The chilliness and fizziness and tingling sensation in aerated drinks is satisfying. But that is it! The fact is that the good looking cold drink is of no good. It provides you with a false sensation of satisfaction, while it actually harms the body in more than one way.
Firstly, a bottle of soda contains approximate 100 calories. These calories come mainly from 'sugar' and hence are also termed as empty calories. One can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. When the body is fed that quantity of sugar in liquid form, it makes the blood sugar spike and causes an insulin reaction in body. Taking an option of diet soda is more harmful for the body as it contains aspartame instead of sugar. Aspartame may be associated with seizures, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, emotional disorders as well as other health problems. Diet soda actually contributes to weight gain. The hard Truth: No published study has ever proven that drinking diet soda will help you lose weight. Any sweet taste signals body cells to store fats and carbohydrates which makes one hungrier. Sweet tastes also promote insulin release which blocks body's ability to burn fat. Drinking soda regularly can eventually lead to weight gain, diabetes, insulin resistance and other health problems.
Secondly, these drinks contain phosphoric acid which hinders the body's ability to absorb calcium naturally. Not getting enough calcium can lead to bone softening, osteoporosis and dental cavities. Apart from phosphoric acid, they also contain acids like malic acid, carbonic acid etc. Malic and citric acid which are found in fruits and vegetables turn alkaline in the body. But those present in soft drinks remain acid because they are usually extracted from heat. Hence it messes up with the stomach acid, blocking nutrient absorption and slowing digestion. Persons who are prone to acidity should completely avoid soft drinks.
Thirdly, soft drinks contain a high amount of caffeine and is a well-known fact that caffeine is a brain stimulant and is habit forming. We do not allow children to have tea and coffee because of caffeine. So we should not allow them to have soft drinks either. Drinking soda can lead to dehydration because of its high levels of sugar, sodium and caffeine. Many people drink soda with a meal instead of water and forget to get their necessary daily intake of water. Moreover Plastic soda/water bottles contain a toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) that can leach from bottles into soda into the body. Some healthy alternatives to curb craving for soda are fruit / herb infused water, lassi, chach, fresh lime juice (shikanji), fruit juice, homemade ginger ale, homemade smoothie, iced tea / coffee, green tea, coconut water.
The bottom line is that soda is not healthy in any quantity and there is absolutely no reason or justification for consuming it as we have lot many healthy options for drinking to beat this summer. Just stop drinking soda, diet soda too and the body health will thank you!!