Say So Long to Soda: 20 Reasons to Ditch the Habit

As if the laundry list of negative health effects from drinking cola and other sodas wasn’t long enough, now research has found a new detriment: hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition in which a drop in blood potassium levels results in problems with vital muscle functions and can lead to symptoms ranging from mild weakness to severe paralysis. Keep reading to find out more about this potentially dangerous condition.

A recent review, conducted by Greek researchers, looked at people who drank anywhere from two to nine liters of cola per day. Two women in particular were singled out (both were pregnant). The first, a 21-year-old woman, drank up to three liters of cola a day and complained of “fatigue, appetite loss and persistent vomiting.” According to the researchers and a Forbes.com report, an electrocardiogram revealed she had a heart blockage, and blood tests showed she had low potassium levels.

The second woman, who'd consumed up to seven liters of cola a day for 10 months, had low potassium levels and was suffering from increasing muscular weakness. Both women seemed to make a full recovery after they stopped drinking cola and upped their potassium levels. Again, hypokalemia is just one more condition to add to a long list (that’s growing all the time). 

In addition to hypokalemia, here are the top 20 reasons why you should stop drinking soft drinks:

1.    Diseases Flourish in an Acidic Environment- Soft drinks are highly acidic in nature. Colas are the most acidic of all soft drinks and the most highly consumed. And, it is suggested that many diseases (including cancer) flourish within acidic environments. So, by reducing your soft drink intake, you are proactively working to reduce the possible presence of disease within your body.

2.    They Potentially Cause Cancer- Many leading medical scientists believe that cancer cannot thrive in an oxygen-rich environment. When you drink soft drinks on a regular basis, you are working to reduce the oxygen state of your body, thereby creating a more conducive environment for cancer cells.  If you reduce or eliminate the presence of soft drinks from your daily diet, you are proactively working to prevent the formation of cancer cells.

3.    Kidney Damage- A recent study of men with histories of kidney stones shows that there was a significant reduction in kidney cancer among those men who did not consume soft drinks. The rationale behind this correlation is due to the high concentration of phosphoric acid in soft drinks which cause significant damage to the kidneys when consumed regularly.

4.    Nutrient Deficient- In addition to the potential health damage that soft drinks cause, they are also deficient of important nutrients. Most soft drinks are extremely high in sugar content which does more damage to the body than good.

5.    Weight Gain- Sodas and soft drinks have been linked to the ever-growing problem of obesity in America. And diet sodas may be no better. A recent study revealed that the sweeteners used in diet soda may actually cause you to crave fatty, sugary foods.

6.    Liver Damage- A recent review of teenagers who drink large amounts of soft drinks revealed a high incidence of cirrhosis of the liver (similar to that of chronic alcoholics).

7.    Addictive- The caffeine present in many soft drinks causes your body to become more addicted to them over time. Second to coffee, soft drinks containing caffeine are the most consumed beverage among Americans. While many of us feel immune to the effects of caffeine on our bodies, it is in fact a drug which does impact your body’s central nervous system. In fact, caffeine belongs to the same alkaloid group of chemicals as morphine, nicotine, and cocaine. In addition to affecting the central nervous system, caffeine has been shown to increase insomnia, nervousness, anxiety and irritability among those who consume it on a regular basis.

8.    Birth Defects- There is some evidence that drinking soft drinks can cause birth defects in pregnant mothers. Further evidence is still required to make this a stronger statement, but medical professionals advise pregnant women to avoid caffeine during their pregnancies.

9.    Coloring is Damaging- The color of colas is actually harmful to your health. In research studies, the caramel coloring has been linked to birth defects and to cancer. Additionally, the ingredient polyethylene glycol is often used. Glycol is used in anti-freeze in vehicles and as an oil solvent.

10.    Fizz is Harmful- When you pour a soft drink and watch the fizz, you have to wonder if that substance is causing any damage to the inside of your body when you drink it. Bubbles in soft drinks are actually caused by phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide, which work to upset the stomach and to leech calcium from bones when ingested (potentially leading to osteoporosis). Over time, serious stomach conditions can develop along with issues with indigestion, bloating or gassiness.

11.    Sugar and other Sweeteners are Harmful- While most of us love the taste of sugar or sweeteners, you may not consider the possible damage those sweeteners cause your body. Not all soft drinks use sugar as an ingredient. The diet soft drinks use other forms of sweeteners such as saccharine or aspartame. These substances have been linked to several serious medical conditions in research studies, including cancer, weakness, irritability, migraines, depression, convulsions, insomnia, mood changes and even mental retardation. And, many scientific studies have linked the high caloric content of soft drinks (due to sugar) to obesity.

12.    Allergies- A recent study published by the University Of California Davis School Of Medicine suggests that drinking soft drinks may increase a person’s susceptibility to developing allergies over time. And some occurrences of allergies and hives have been linked to the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas.

13.    Birth Abnormalities- In addition to some of the birth defects already mentioned, recent research done on mice suggests that drinking soft drinks during pregnancy could cause the fetus to be malformed, especially when it came to proper bone formation.

14.    Tooth Damage- Phosphoric acid has been shown to reduce the enamel on your teeth when consumed over a long period of time. Studies using teeth that had been extracted show that the teeth will actually dissolve when placed into a bowl of soda.

15.    Bone Damage- Regular consumption of soft drinks has been linked to bone density reductions. Soft bones can lead to issues with osteoporosis and bone breakage as you age.

16.    Calcium Depletion- The phosphorus content of soft drinks can cause the kidneys to function improperly, resulting in a reduction in your body’s ability to retain vital calcium.

17.    Reduced Metabolism- Researchers have discovered a direct link between soft drink consumption and your body’s ability to properly metabolize iron. Without enough iron, you run the risk of developing conditions such as anemia, excessive menstrual bleeding, learning disabilities, impaired immune functions, low body temperature, light headedness, dizzy spells, fatigue, weak and/or tiredness.

18.    Inability to Fight Bacteria- Studies have shown that regular soft drink consumption reduces your body’s ability to fight bacteria.

19.    Increased Blood Pressure- Regular soft drink consumption has been linked to increases in blood pressure, which can be linked to a variety of serious health conditions over time if left untreated. Some specific issues related to high blood pressure include kidney disease and kidney failure, stroke, damage to your eyes (including blindness), and arteriosclerosis.

20.    Even More Health Issues- Individuals who consume soft drinks regularly often experience an increased prevalence of constipation, hypertension, nausea, headaches and migraines and kidney damage.

Considering the magnitude of negative side effects of soft drink consumption, it is highly recommended that you replace that daily cola with something a bit healthier . . . and do it soon before it’s too late!