eMedical Public Health Advisory

Sodas often give a metabolic syndrome (at least 3 diseases) among them: Diabetes Mellitus and some suspect also heart diseases.

According to eMedical: Due to its carbonation, the daily intake of sodas causes Chronic Aerophagia (chronic accumulation of gas in the gastro-intestinal tract) that increase intra-abdominal pressure and pushes upward the thoracic cage, causing compression of the lungs and heart (air hunger & thoracic discomfort) and compressing the abdominal aorta (may give irregular blood pressure readings).

Many sodas contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant on the body. Besides its ability to make a person jittery (and contribute to the hyperactivity of children), caffeine may have other effects on our bodies. Although not scientifically proven, some research has indicated that consumption of caffeine may be associated with heart-related problems such as abnormal heart rhythms (called arrhythmias).

Soda is sometimes referred to as "liquid candy" due to its high sugar content and lack of nutritional value. One 12-ounce can of soda contains approximately 9 teaspoons of sugar and 144 calories - all empty (nutritionless) calories. Adults and children often consume more than 12 ounces in one sitting, however, when they purchase the large drinks typically available at movie theaters or convenience stores.

Soda. It's become the four-letter word of beverages. Of all the drinks on the market, soda probably has the worst reputation. Science and medical research point their collective finger at soda, and blame it for everything from diabetes to tooth decay, hyperactivity to childhood obesity. But is soda really that bad for you? When asked if soda is inherently unhealthy for people, board certified nutritionist and author Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS, said, “Yes. Simple, unequivocal answer, yes. Yup. Affirmative. Absolutely.” What's so unhealthy about many Americans' favorite beverage?

Carbonated water is plain water infused with carbon dioxide, which creates the bubbles. Caramel color is a natural additive that tints food products, providing the familiar color consumers expect to see. Natural flavors are often of the citrus variety and added for taste. All of these are simple, harmless ingredients. Next is caffeine, a diuretic and stimulant known to be addictive.

What's left on the list of ingredients is what solidifies soda's bad name: sugar. Phosphoric acid is a chemical that adds a tangy or sour flavor by breaking down starches into sugar. According to Bowden, we should consume as little sugar as possible, especially refined sugar. “Zero would be a bull's-eye but is pretty much an unobtainable goal,” says Bowden. Why is it unobtainable? Because almost every product on supermarket shelves contains the final ingredient on our soda list: high fructose corn syrup. “It's included because it is a way cheaper form of sweetener than anything else,” says Bowden. “It is also one of the single most horrific ingredients in the food supply.” Adding high fructose corn syrup to foods provides little nutrition and lots of calories.

If this is the case, then what about diet soda: Does it help or hinder weight loss? “There's no hard-core scientific evidence that it hinders,” says Bowden.“But there is a ton of anecdotal information and intelligent observation that leads one to think that might be so. New research shows that non-caloric food and beverages deregulate our innate ability to judge caloric intake. Secondly, there's the psychological part: Many people subconsciously think they're taking in less calories by drinking these crappy drinks and then subconsciously allow themselves more food. Third, there is some suspicion among nutritional scientists that sweet tastes - through a Pavlovian conditioning method - might signal insulin to release even though there are no actual calories or sugar. This is a theory I think has a lot of merit.”

Taking all of this into consideration, soda just doesn't add up to be a beneficial drink. Even the label on a can states that it is “not a significant source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.”