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Linking sugary drinks to obesity, Philadelphia has become the first major city in the U.S. to approve a tax
on sugar-sweetened and diet beverages. The so-called "soda tax" will help raise money for impoverished school systems, as well helping to combat the many health issues related to consumption of sugary
drinks.
If you're addicted to soda, you're certainly not alone, but Philadelphia's soda tax makes it clear that the negative effects of soda are steadily coming into the public eye. Here are just five reasons why kicking your soda habit is important to your overall health. 5 Reasons To Stop Drinking Soda 1. Soda Contributes to Weight Gain Drinking soda adds up. When you consider that one normal-sized can of Coke contains around 160 calories, drinking one can every day for a month comes out to 4,800 extra calories. That's scary when you think think that most soda "addicts" drink far more than one can a day. Here's the other thing: Studies have shown that diet sodas are counteractive to weight gain, as well. Why? The artificial sweeteners in diet soda actually make your body crave sweet food. 2. Soda is Bad For Your Teeth Soda has been shown to corrode 10 times more tooth enamel than natural fruit juices. It's not just the sugar; it's also the high acid content of soda that will drive your dentist crazy. You know how coke can be used to clean car batteries? Well... 3. Soda is Bad to the Bone, Literally Frequent consumption of soft drinks may lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis, and in children can lead to the impaired growth of bones. Some scientists believe that the acidity of soda weakens bones by promoting the loss of calcium. 4. Soda is Bad For Your Kidneys If you've ever suffered from a kidney stone, you probably pray that it will never happen again. Research has clearly demonstrated that consuming large quantities of soda places a person at a greater risk of developing kidney stones. Moreover, drinking two or more sodas a day has been linked to a greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease. 5. Soda Puts You at a Greater Risk of Diabetes This is clearly linked to No. 1 above (soda makes you gain weight), because anything that promotes weight gain increases the risk of diabetes. It also compromises the body's ability to process sugar, while the high fructose syrup in soda puts more strain on insulin-producing cells than other foods. In turn, insulin itself becomes less effective at processing sugar. Working with a personal trainer can help you raise the bar on your health, nutrition and fitness program. Amarillo personal trainer Ralph Roberts show you how to meet all of your wellness goals. Contact Ralph today to schedule a free personal training session. Cutting out soda isn't the only way to lose weight. No matter how busy you are, be sure to get a few workouts in a week. Download our free at-home workout eBook! |
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