5 Deadly Reasons to Stay Away From Soda (Watch Video)

The soft drink industry is growing in leaps and bounds. According to statistics, Americans consume close to 50 billion litres of soda per year, which equals to 216 litres, or about 57 gallons per person. While soft drinks can be tempting and can seem harmless, there are a lot of long term health consequences that can be brought with each sip. It fuels diabetes, obesity and several other epidemic diseases around the world.

It is twice as addictive as alcohol

Soft drinks such as Coca Cola are twice as addictive as alcohol as it contains sugar, caffeine and aspartame. Soft drink manufacturers use a lot of sugar and caffeine and that makes people dependent on it. Caffeinated drinks also cause insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, increases blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps and birth defects.

It increases the risk of stroke

A research conducted by epidemiologist Hannah Gardener, PhD, of the University of Miami that was featured in many news reports revealed that there was a link between soda consumption and a risk of a stroke. Those who consumed soda were seen to have a 42 per cent increased risk of experiencing a stroke. However, their research did not confirm the effects. Another study by the Harvard School of Public Health, published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, found that a consumption of 12 ounces of sugar-sweetened sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks or fruit drinks per day increases the risk of CAD by 20 per cent.

Soda kills 180,000 people a year

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health researchers found that soda caused 180,000 deaths by causing health problems such as diabetes, cancer and heart diseases. Lead researcher Gitanjali Singh also said that the deaths were seen mostly in low and middle income countries. The United States saw 25,000 deaths related to soda intake in 2010.

It damages your bones and teeth

Consumption of large amounts of soda deteriorates the bones and teeth. An average American consumes 45 gallons of soda and sugary drinks every year, according to Kick the Can. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, consuming a large amount of soda causes tooth erosion similar to the effects of illegal drugs. It damages the enamel and this in turn makes the teeth vulnerable to rot.

It also reduces the bone density and causes osteoporosis. Researchers at Tufts University found that women who consumed cola-based sodas regularly had 4% lower bone mineral density in the hip. But women who drank non-cola soft drinks, like Sprite or Mountain Dew, had a normal bone density.

A major cause of obesity

Drinks that contain soda not only are the biggest cause of obesity due to the high sugar content but it also slows the metabolism of one's body.

Source: YouTube/Abda Abdeel