6 Health Risks to Know before Sipping Soda

Added sugar is dangerous for your health. It will take a toll on your health without a notice. Soda drinks filled with sugar, chemicals and no nutritional value. You might think that the health risks associated with drinking soda are limited to weight gain and your teeth, but the health risks are more serious than you might realize. 

Soda Leads to Weight Gain

Obesity is an epidemic as it is, consuming soda adds to weight gain. With soda, it is easy to drink more calories than your body requires. Carbonated drinks are not satiable, so you basically end up adding more calories to your total calorie intake.   Thus, the high amount of sugar in these drinks leads to the accumulation of fat around the belly and other areas.  

Soda Increases the Risk of Developing Diabetes 

Type-2 diabetes is a common disease that affects millions of people every year. It is a metabolic disease characterized by high levels of blood sugar (glucose) in the system. According to a study published by the American Diabetes Association, people who consumed one or more sugary drinks every day were at a higher risk of developing diabetes by 26 percent as compared to those who didn’t.  

Also read: Signs You Have an Insulin Resistance that’s not letting you Shed the Kilos

Soda is Not Good for your Heart 

Various studies have linked sugar intake and heart diseases. Carbonated drinks increase the risk of developing high blood sugar and blood triglycerides, both of which are risk factors of heart disease. According to a study published in the Harvard School of Public Health, drinking sugary drinks increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by 20 percent. 

Soda is Bad for your Teeth 

Your favourite soda might be damaging your smile. The sugar in the soda interacts with bacteria in the mouth and forms acid. This acid makes your teeth vulnerable to damage. It can be really dangerous for your dental health.  

Soda Can Lead to Kidney Damage 

According to a study in Japan, drinking more than two sodas can raise your risk for kidney disease. Your kidneys perform multiple functions including, regulating blood pressure, maintaining haemoglobin levels and bone formation. As mentioned above, drinking carbonated drinks can cause hypertension and diabetes, which in turn can damage the kidneys or lead to the formation of kidney stones. 

Also read: Things you Need to know To Keep your Kidneys Healthy

Soda Can Cause a Fatty Liver 

Carbonated drinks usually contain two components – fructose and glucose. Glucose can be metabolized by every cell in the body, whereas, the liver is the only organ that metabolizes fructose. These drinks are loaded with fructose and excess consumption of fructose can convert into fat and lead to a fatty liver.