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7 Reasons to Eliminate Soda from Your Diet

 
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So you love a glass of soda as much as the rest of the world loves their first cup of coffee in the morning. What most people don’t realize is that soda is terrible for your body and overall health. Soda is bad for your stomach and bones and has a number of significant side effects that will make you wish you’d never become addicted (and many of you are)!

With that in mind, here are 7 reasons why you should eliminate all forms of soda from your diet.

  • Soda is addictive. Don’t believe me? If you drink soda daily I dare you to try going without it for an entire day. You’ll probably develop a headache, become very tired, and maybe even develop sensations similar to anxiety. The caffeine in soda is what makes it addictive and caffeine is a strong drug. If you drink tons of soda you’ll be better off reducing the amount you drink daily until you wean yourself off instead of quitting cold turkey.
  • Soda leads to dehydration. This happens for two reasons. Caffeine has diuretic properties so drinking soda will cause you to urinate more frequently. Soda also contains sodium, which will make you thirstier. The average person will reach for a second glass of soda instead of a glass of water. Remember, soda is not a replacement for your daily water intake. Every glass of soda you drink requires you to add an EXTRA glass of water to your daily recommended intake.
  • Soda is packed with calories. The average can of soda contains at least 150-200 calories. The average person purchases not a can, but a bottle. The average individual bottle of soda, if you read the nutrition information, is listed as having TWO servings per bottle – but most of us drink the entire thing. In short, you’re drinking hundreds of calories per day – all of which are completely void of nutrition.
  • Soda causes bone weakening. Yup, it’s true. The caffeine and phosphoric acids found in soda will leach the calcium right out of your bones. The increased urination caused by caffeine will also make it more difficult for your body to have time to absorb the nutrients found in your food before being eliminated. It’s a lose-lose situation as far as nutrition is concerned (think arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.).
  • Soda is terrible for your teeth. The acids found in soda re incredibly strong. They change the pH level in your mouth, destroy your enamel, and cause considerable amounts of decay.
  • Soda is bad for your heart. What’s the first thing a doctor tells someone with high blood pressure or heart disease? Eliminate salt (sodium) from your diet. The amount of sodium in soda can contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiac ailments. The dehydration caused by caffeine intake affects the fluid levels around the heart as well, leading to decreased cardiac function.
  • Soda contains artificial sweeteners. Many artificial sweeteners are credited with reducing calorie count in food items, but they also cause cravings and some have been associated with the development of some forms of cancer. Some scientists agree while others believe these claims are just plain silly. Is indecisiveness something you’re willing to ignore?

Ready to drop soda like a bad habit? I know I am! Make sure you consult your doctor or nutritionist if you really feel as though you were consuming inordinate amounts of this tasty yet detrimental beverage type. He or she will be happy to help you wean yourself away from your addiction!

Deborah Dera is a full-time freelance writer, massage therapist, martial artist, and student of life. She spends most of her time studying the human body, musculature, nutrition, and both traditional and alternative therapies. She enjoys exploring the fashion world as well – including anything related to women's UGGs, contemporary styles, and beauty!

Add a Comment11 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Dont know if it dehydrates or not...but what I do know is when I stopped drinking coke within 3 days my blood pressure when from being a bit high with my 25mg dose of meds to 93/65 with the same dose.

I was going to have my doctor INCREASE my dose of 25mg to 50mg because my blood pressure has been climbing ...but after I quit drinking coke 3 weeks ago my pressure literally dropped the third day onthe same dose and instead of INCREASING it Ive actually cut my meds back to ONE QUARTER...1/4....of the dose I was taking.

Probably all that sugar causing insulin spikes that raised the pressure....but whatever....Im done with Coke and people who think its safe to drink it buy the gallon are fooling themselves

yeah...its VERY addictive. Im still jonesing 3 weeks later.
I nearly caved when I saw a 2 liter of coke at the store yesterday. Been sucking on Jolly Ranchers a few times a day to keep the sugar monkey off my back.

But....in sodas defense Ive been drinking 6-10 cans a day of coke and maybe ONE glass of water a month.
in moderation soda may not be a problem.

May 24, 2015 - 6:13pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Soda itself wont harm you. Its the cola drinks loaded with sugar that are the main culprits. Read these facts about Coca Cola & you would agree with me. http://5best.in/shocking-facts-about-coca-cola/

November 22, 2013 - 5:07am

I am can vouch for the fact that you can get addicted to "soda" or possibly any caffeinated beverage. Caffeine is usually what you are addicted to. If you drink Caffeine free, diet soda, chances are if you stopped drinking that, the headaches and cravings would not come. I have tried to stop drinking my diet soda. I can tell you I have not been able to. I do get headaches, which for me is not good since I suffer from chronic daily migraines and don't need the extra pain. I also feel very fatigued without my soda. I know I should not drink as much soda as I do, but it is very hard for me. Any pain added to me on top of my chronic daily pain is simply not worth it for me,
Needing an easy way out.....
Kelly
p.s. I could not use that dietkola stuff that was talked about because of some of the meds I take.

June 10, 2011 - 12:39am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Leech is spelled that way, not leach. Also, having a cup/glass/can of soda a day won't cause anyy detrimental health issues. Just make sure you don't only drink soda. The main reason people say it's bad for you is because it's not good for you. It's a luxury and should be treated as such.

July 14, 2010 - 5:35pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

You know - soda really is terrible for you. You all ASSUME you can't drink a glass of soda occasionally. The facts above ARE scientific and just because you disagree doesn't mean they are false.

I know a woman who drinks a 44oz fountain soda in the morning, another one in the evening, and probably another 2 liters from the bottle in between. She is NOT healthy and is living proof as to the terrible things SODA can do to you.

She's also not the only one drinking it like water...

August 13, 2009 - 6:34pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

People! Please use your REASON and LOGIC to determine what is true and false. People write random false myths all day long on the web and in the media and it goes on unchecked because people want to believe it. We certainly don't seem to have a scientific culture.

August 13, 2009 - 4:54pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

f that

im active all day
i play lacrosse or lift weights 6 out of 7 days a week..on a slow week
and i drink at least hald a gallon of water a day
so a can of soda a few times a week wont hurt

June 28, 2009 - 9:18pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

PLEASE KILL THE MYTH.
Soda causing dehydration is a myth that exists simply through repetition. It was said enough times that people believed it to be true with out any actually research.

Actual research does not support the myth that soda in anyway causes dehydration.

Current research says about caffeine.
# When consuming a caffeinated beverage, the body retains some of the fluid.
# Moderate caffeine consumption causes a mild diuresis very similar to that of water (water, when consumed in large volume, increases urine output).
# A person who regularly consumes caffeine has a higher tolerance to the diuretic effect.
Unless your downing caffeine pills, it won't cause dehydration.

2: Salt makes you more thirsty but does not necessarily dehydrate you. Salt attracts water so in small amounts in food can help hydrate you when taken with fluid. So eating some salty crackers with a glass of water can actually hydrate you more then simply drinking the glass of water alone.

Why does sea water dehydrate you then?
1 kg of seawater(or 1 liter) has approximately 35 grams of dissolved salts or 3,500 milligrams. (1g=1,000mg)
Humans can't drink salt water because the kidneys can only make urine that is less salty than salt water. Therefore, to get rid of all the excess salt taken in by drinking salt water, you have to urinate more water than you drank, so you die of dehydration.

1kg of coke (or half of 2-liter or 2.8 cans) contains 140 milligrams of Sodium. So salt water is 25 times MORE salty then coke.

Simply put there isn't enough salt in soda to counter the fluid intake. Its not as good as water but it won't dehydrate you. Soda does not dehydrate you but you have to drink more of it then you would is you just drank water.

I'm all for promoting good health but not at the expense of truth. When you repeat a lie through repetition(even unknowingly) everything else you say starts to sound suspect.

June 11, 2009 - 3:21pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I’m prepping for a colonoscopy tomorrow & my husband & adult son are yelling at me for adding a coke to the gallon of liquid I’ve been instructed to drink. They’re saying it will dehydrate me! Thanks for putting this myth to rest! I’m going to go grab a ginger ale! The required colonoscopy prep drink, tasted so bad I almost threw up. I need something that tastes good!

October 1, 2018 - 6:19pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I tend to agree with you, Anon. I think that the "bad" stuff in soda is really the sugar. Here's what MayoClinic.com has to say about diet sodas:


Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no evidence that these ingredients cause cancer. Some types of diet soda are even fortified with vitamins and minerals. But diet soda isn't a health drink or a cure for weight loss. Although switching from regular soda to diet soda will save you calories, some studies suggest that drinking soda of any type leads to obesity and other health problems. And healthier choices abound. Start your day with a small glass of 100-percent fruit juice. Drink skim milk with meals. Sip water throughout the day. For variety, try sparkling water or enjoy a squirt of lemon or cranberry juice in your water. Save diet soda for an occasional treat.

Source: Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D

I personally like tonic water, sometimes even club soda. As a distance runner, I drink a lot of electrolyte fluids - those contain essential minerals and sodium to help replace what's lost during hard workouts, and I even drink them in preparation for a distance event. If the argument against sodium was true, then electrolyte fluids would have to be included in the "bad for you" category.

All in all, while I agree that sodas, diet or otherwise, might not be the healthiest of fluid choices if consumed in great quantity and on a regular daily basis, and I rarely allowed sodas in my house when my kids were young (still don't), I wouldn't be one to start throwing red flags all around me about this.

People just have to learn to make good choices, that's all. We like our sweet, carbonated stuff, after all. Even I do - especially in a mojito, LOL!

June 11, 2009 - 4:26pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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