How Healthy are Soft Drinks
By Denise Basteiro

Many dietary factors have been suggested as a cause of osteoporosis, including: low calcium-high phosphorus intake, high-protein diet, high salt intake, and trace mineral deficiencies. It appears,  that increased soda consumption is a major factor in the contribution of osteoporosis. A deficiency of vitamin K leads to impaired mineralization of bone and an over abundance of sugars deplete the calcium from our bodies.

 

Soft drinks have long been suspected of leading to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content in soft drinks like Coca -Cola and Pepsi are very high, and contain virtually no calcium.

The USranks first among countries in soft drink consumption. The per-capita consumption of soft drinks is in excess of 150 quarts per year, or about three quarts per week. Soft drink consumption in children poses a significant risk factor for impaired calcification of growing bones, immune deficiency, tooth decay, allergies and a possibility of type 2 diabetes.

 

Another concern of the consumption of soft drinks is obesity. With the high levels of sugar and calories, soft drinks are not one of the best ways to nourish the body. Soft drinks have no nutritional value; in fact they actually rob the body of nutrients and good health.  According to recent studies diet soda has also been linked to obesity as well. I believe diet soda is even worse for you as they use artificial sweeteners that have been known to cause cancer and tumors in the body.   Soft drinks also contain caffeine which have been known to interfere with brain development in children.

 

One of my clients came in this month with a clogged kitchen sink. When all else failed she used soda to un-clog the drain.  Soda  can also take paint off a car, clean toilets and concrete. Now is that something you want to consume.

 

A good friend of mine told me her son stopped drinking soda because he was trying to get down to a good weight for his wrestling matches. In less then two weeks he lost 11 lbs.  His mother has since given up soda and she too has noticed a difference in her health and the way she feels.

 

For those of you who know a little about the body, you may be saying; soda has phosphorus and that is a trace mineral the body uses. While this is true, too much phosphorus will pull calcium from bones. This can cause decreased bone mass/density. Balance between phosphorus, calcium and magnesium is important - excessive/insufficient amounts of any one of these can adversely affect the body. Excessive amount of phosphorus (more than 1-g daily) can cause diarrhea and hardening of the organs/soft tissue. On some medications there is a warning that says; If taking medication on a regular basis, consult a medical professional prior to taking a phosphorus supplement. Now knowing that and knowing that soft drinks contain phosphorus, wouldn't you think twice before drinking something that could damage your health.