We work hard to maintain weight, not gain weight, exercising, trying to eat healthy... but there is a way to control weight by eliminating carbonated drinks from our lives. If you haven't done so yet, don't hesitate, ditch the fizzy drinks now!
Carbonated drinks are liquid sweets. If you are worried about your health, don't you think you shouldn't be eating sweets all day? You should also not consume sweetened beverages throughout the day.
“If you are trying to control your weight, the first thing you should do is stop consuming sweetened beverages, since these have calories, they do not contain any nutrients, they do not really give you anything and they possibly cause you a lot of damage”
What are soft drinks?
The process of making soft drinks is quite simple: the mixture of filtered water, carbon dioxide, sweeteners (substances that provide a sweet taste) and acidulants (substances that modify or control acidity) gives rise to a refreshing soda that you can drink in any establishment.
A surprising amount of water is required to make a carbonated drink
In the struggle to maintain their sales, the sparkling beverage industry is struggling with restrictions on water use, and the disposal of plastic bottles.
When it comes to water, you might be surprised at how much water it actually takes to make a liter of fizzy drink. It is estimated that about 1.3 liters are needed to make a liter of carbonated beverage.
This does not include the amount of water needed to clean the plant, wash the bottles and other sanitary tasks. It also does not include the water used to grow corn and sugar. Independent groups including these additional details have come to estimate that this represents anywhere from 300 to 600 liters of water per liter of drink!
What harmful effects do soft drinks have?
Every day, scientists discover more harmful effects that humans suffer due to the consumption of fizzy drinks; these negative effects are even much more problematic for children
If you have kids, it's a good idea to talk to them about the implications of consuming soda, and reframe it as an occasional treat, not an essential beverage that they need to drink large amounts of every day.
Water should not be substituted for carbonated drinks
If you still have some doubts about this, here are several examples of symptoms that can occur if you over consume soda.
The main effect, due to the large amount of sugar they contain, is obesity.
If they have caffeine, it may cause nervous system disorders.
Many of these sodas contain a high concentration of caffeine. Caffeine is an alkaloid that has stimulating effects on the autonomic nervous system and the heart, for which it stimulates wakefulness and resistance to fatigue, as well as being a powerful vasodilator, but its benefits end here. Excessive consumption of caffeine causes dependency, headache, cardiac arrhythmia, insomnia and anxiety. The same symptoms you will experience if you drink too much coffee or tea daily.
Affects the renal system
In order for soft drinks to be attractive towards consumers, they must have a delicious and addicting flavor and color. They must also have numerous perservatives, like acidulants and chemical additives, so that they can last for a long time and not go bad. Unfortunately, all of these additives can be very harmful to your renal system. As a matter of fact, these substances tend to accumulate in the tissues, causing the appearance of cancer cells and the development of tumors in the long term.
So, although some of these drinks may have antioxidants, which your body needs. You can find them in a more natural way by choosing to consume fruits and vegetables over fizzy drinks.
Increase acid reflux during digestion
It is believed that, contrary to what was previously thought, soft drinks can have a negative effect on the digestive process. The carbon dioxide present in these drinks increases the acidification of gastric juices and accelerates their production, which in turn speeds up digestion but at the same time causes gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn and absorption problems, which can be especially painful in people suffering from gastritis and stomach ulcers.
They can cause cavities
The CO2 and sugar in soda has also been shown to affect our mouths and teeth by altering taste perceptions, corroding tooth enamel and potentially causing cavities.
Provokes obesity
Soft drinks have a high concentration of sweeteners whether they are high or low in calories (1 can can have 3 or 4 tablespoons of sugar). Those with low caloric value are, for example, sorbitol, aspartame and saccharin, while high-calorie sweeteners are sucrose and glucose. An excess in the consumption of these sugars causes increases in blood sugar levels, inflammation of the pancreas and diabetes. On the other hand, carbohydrates that are not converted into energy through metabolic processes are accumulated in the form of fats in tissues and arteries, causing obesity and arteriosclerosis.
bone loss
As if that were not enough, the acids and caffeine present in these drinks are harmful to our skeletal health. This is due to the interference with the absorption of calcium in the bones, causing the loss of bone mass, weakening them and favoring the appearance of osteoporosis. On the other hand, the combination of sugar and acid hinders the absorption of iron in the cells, which can cause anemia and make us susceptible to the most varied infections.
Be careful with sugar-free sodas
To avoid weight problems and diabetes, it is not enough to drink sugar-free sodas. These sugar substitute sweeteners cannot be ingested in large quantities either, since they are substances that interfere with various metabolic reactions that can cause brain damage, memory loss and even favor the development neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
To put it simple, take control of your health!
Despite how delicious soft drinks can be, it is recommended that you choose to drink water, smoothies and natural juices. This way you will be protecting your health, while also pleasing your taste buds.
Remember, pleasure and health must go hand in hand.
