Whether you call it soda, pop or coke, studies agree that there are a hundred reasons to stop drinking it - both regular and diet.
Soda wreaks havoc on the body with empty calories, causing acid reflux and potentially contributing to osteoporosis. Here are just 6 reasons to stop drinking soda today:
Your waistline
Since soda has no nutritional value, the calories you consume - around 140 calories per can - are all empty calories, which contribute to weight gain. And don’t think diet soda is the answer - studies show that switching to low-calorie or zero-calorie soda does not result in weight loss.
Your stomach
All that acid takes its toll on your stomach, as well. Acid from soda can irritate the stomach lining, and cause heartburn and acid reflux.
Your teeth
The acid in soda is known to erode tooth enamel and encourage decay. In one study, teeth exposed to popular soda products for 48 hours were shown to lose 5% of their weight, leading some researchers to compare soda to battery acid.
Your sugar intake
An average can of soda contains over 40 grams of sugar—an equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. And the sugar in most soda comes from high fructose corn syrup, which is harder to metabolize than regular sugar.
Studies suggest that even the artificial sweeteners used in diet soda have many of the same negative effects on metabolism and appetite.
Your hydration
A can of soda may seem to quench your thirst, but the caffeine contained in most popular drinks is a diuretic, which can cause dehydration. The high levels of sodium and sugar in soda can also contribute to dehydration. On top of that, when drinking soda becomes a regular habit, many people end up replacing vital water intake with soda consumption.
Your bones
The phosphoric acid in soda makes it more difficult for your body to absorb calcium, which can cause osteoporosis. Poor calcium absorption can also cause cavities in teeth that are already weakened by exposure to soda.