6 Consequences of Consuming Soda Every Day
Soda is a popular beverage in America, with many people consuming it daily. While it’s sweet and fizzy, soda is loaded with added sugars, which can harm your health in multiple ways. In fact, soda is one of the leading sources of added sugars in the American diet. Read on to learn more about the side effects of drinking soda daily so you can make more informed choices about your health.
Leads to dental problems
Drinking soda daily can cause serious dental issues. While sugar itself doesn’t directly harm your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar found in sweet drinks. These bacteria produce acids that wear away tooth enamel, leading to cavities and tooth decay. Plaque buildup allows these bacteria to stay on your teeth longer, further increasing the risk of dental problems.
Soda also contains acids that erode tooth enamel, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to decay. If you drink soda regularly, you’re more likely to develop gum issues such as gingivitis or periodontitis. This is especially concerning for teenagers, as over half of them in the U.S. experience cavities in their adult teeth due to excessive sugar intake. If you notice any signs of dental problems, it’s important to visit a dentist in Bushwick promptly.
Increases the risk of heart disease
Consuming soda daily can raise your risk of heart disease. High sugar intake from sugary beverages can spike your blood sugar levels, increase triglycerides, and elevate bad cholesterol. These are all risk factors for heart problems.
Additionally, sugar contributes to inflammation in the body, which can also raise your risk of heart disease and other serious health conditions. Limiting your intake of sugary drinks can help protect your heart and overall health.
Promotes weight gain
Soda is high in sugar and calories but doesn’t provide any nutrients or help you feel full. Sucrose, the sugar in soda, disrupts hormones that regulate hunger, making it easy to overeat. This can lead to weight gain and obesity over time.
A single 12-ounce can of soda contains about 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of added sugar. For context, men should limit added sugar to nine teaspoons per day, while women should stick to six teaspoons. Drinking just one soda daily can cause you to exceed these limits, and regular consumption can lead to an annual weight gain of up to five pounds.
Puts at risk of kidney problems
Regular soda consumption is linked to an increased risk of kidney stones. These are hard mineral deposits that can form in the kidneys over time. While kidney stones may not cause discomfort initially, they can lead to severe pain when they pass through the urinary tract.
Soda contributes to kidney stone formation in two ways: it promotes dehydration and increases sugar intake, both of which are known risk factors. Staying hydrated with water and limiting sugary beverages can help protect your kidneys.
Increases the risk of diabetes
Excessive sugar intake, especially from soda, is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. Soda contains high-fructose corn syrup and other sugars that can cause insulin resistance and lead to diabetes.
Drinking just one to two servings of soda daily increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 26% compared to those who avoid sugary drinks. Young adults and certain ethnic groups, such as Asians, are at an even higher risk of developing diabetes from excessive soda consumption.
Soda is addictive
Soda contains substances like caffeine and sugar that can create dependency. Regular consumption can lead to cravings, making it difficult to control your intake.
Symptoms of soda addiction include strong cravings, feeling that only soda can quench your thirst, and struggling to limit how much you drink. If you stop drinking soda suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, or even depression. This dependency can make it even harder to reduce your soda consumption, increasing your risk of long-term health problems.
