Ten Reasons to Avoid Soda (& How to Kick the Habit)

Addiction! Addiction! Addiction!

Soda is one of the most addictive habits that we’ve got accustomed to. It’s reported that an average American consumes 44 gallons of soda every year^[1] – that’s A LOT! What’s WORSE is – 9 out of 10 children in the United States obsess over soda every single day.

But wait there is GOOD news! A study conducted by a coalition of health groups including the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Diabetes Association concluded that pop consumption is reducing year after year – that’s reflected through sales numbers.^[2]

Drinking a soda is almost like choosing to smoke. The health risks are brutal, but the following ten facts will give you enough reasons to avoid or may even convince you to quit the nasty habit!

OMG Calories!

Soda is one of the main reasons for excess calories in the daily diet. We tend to consume soda after a meal to spice it up not knowing that one 12 ounce can of soda adds over 150 calories to the diet. The bigger the can, the more the calories.

It’s all Sugar

Do you know how many much sugar a single can contains? Can you take a guess? The answer is – it contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar! 😱 This amount of intake will cause the blood sugar and insulin to shoot-up.

Childhood Obesity

According to a research study conducted by Harvard, childhood obesity increases 1.6 times with every additional consumption of soda.

Contains banned ingredients^[3]

Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) found commonly in sodas and energy drinks acts as an emulsifier that prevents the colour from separating and floating to the surface of the beverage. This is banned by the World Health organization and 100 counties because it competes with iodine in the body. Excess levels of the ingredient may lead to hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, and cancer. But that’s not it! – Bromine, the main ingredient in BVO is a poisonous chemical that is deemed to be both corrosive and toxic. It links to major organ system damage, birth defects, growth problems, schizophrenia, and hearing loss.

Destroys Teeth

Soda affects the health of the teeth and its colour. Excessive soda drinkers might have dental erosion that is similar to that of a person who is addicted to meth or crack cocaine. ^[4]

Limit Caffeine^[5]

More research on this is being conducted – but Caffeine in soda (even diet soda) links to various cancers, fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, and birth defects. Nevertheless, the right amount of caffeine would not pose a risk.

Risk of Osteoporosis ^[6]

Soda can make bones brittle. The phosphoric acid in soda strips calcium out of the bone. Reduce the intake of soda and increase the intake of beverages like milk that will promote bone health.

Water (no good)

The water used for soda is just tap water that contains chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, and traces of heavy metals.

Toxic Soda Cans

Some soda cans contain bisphenol-A (BPA) which is a synthetic estrogen that impairs hormonal function causing increased risks of cancer, premature puberty, infertility, metabolic disorder, and even type 2 diabetes. Stay away canned soda to reduce the risks of falling victim.

Dehydration in the Long-run

The hot sun may call for a refreshing taste but the sugar, sodium and caffeine in soda dehydrates the body that will lead to chronic dehydration over a period of time. The best choice is to quench that thirst with as much water as you can.

According to Joyce Prinn, Nutritionist at Yes Wellness – These are products that May Help Reduce Your Craving for Soda:

Lorna Vanderhaeghe Smile 5 HTP

Lorna Vanderhaeghe Slim-T

Lorna Vanderhaeghe Glucosmart

^[1] https://brandongaille.com/29-significant-soda-consumption-statistics/

^[2]

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/pop-consumption-down-but-sales-of-other-sugary-drinks-have-increased-study/article33986505/

^[3] https://www.shape.com/blogs/shape-your-life/13-banned-foods-still-allowed-us

^[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23454320

^[5] http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/caffeines-effects-health

^[6] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sodas-tea-coffee-can-make-bones-brittle/