The Fizzy Truth

Most of the blogs you will see from our department are usually related to Massage Therapy in some way, but this time I want to branch out and talk about something else. Staying within the realm of health and wellness, let’s talk about soda and what it does to your body.

Did you know that caffeine is one of the most addictive drugs in the world? Yes, it is a drug. Now caffeine may not be a hard substance that is going to ruin your life and land you some heavy jail time, but an addiction to it can cause some pretty awful damage to your body.

Want a nice glass of Phosphoric Acid? Soda contains phosphoric acid, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to osteoporosis, cavities and bone softening. Phosphoric Acid also interacts with stomach acid, slowing digestion and blocking nutrient absorption.

Let’s not forget about those pearly whites! Drinking soda damages your tooth enamel and increases your risk of cavities, all while eroding your teeth. This damaging reaction lasts for about 20 minutes after each sip, meaning that taking your time to drink soda actually increases its harmful effects on your teeth. (If you’re going to drink it, it is best to just drink it and be done, and preferably rinse your mouth with water afterwards if you can.)

Weight Gain – Soda has no nutritional value whatsoever – there, I said it – aside from contributing to obesity, as well as diabetes, tooth decay and weakened bones. Soda has also been linked to depleting the body of vitamin A, calcium and magnesium, all of which are nutrients needed for healthy weight loss. Some studies suggest that soda, even diet soda, can actually make you feel hungrier given the artificial sweeteners that signal the brain to crave extra food. This can understandably make losing weight a lot more difficult.

Estimates show that two cans or glasses of soda per day adds right around 24 – 35 pounds of fat per year, depending on body size, age, etc. Some people have reported that by giving up two cans of soda per day, without exercise, they lost 20 pounds in six months! Does cutting out soda altogether just sound impossible? Could you replace one soda per day with water? Cutting down from two cans a day to one can merit about a 16 pound yearly loss.

You may say, “But I only drink diet sodas!” Did you know, according to a study by the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, diet soda actually enhances weight gain by as much as 41 percent?

I know from personal experience the addiction to soda is real, and it’s a tough habit to break! But, let me tell you (from experience): when you cut it out, you will feel a huge difference and it will be amazing! For me, flavored, sugar-free, carbonated water was a huge help as a substitute!

By: Derek Ball