2012.08.10
Diet Coke turns 30 this year,
but instead of celebrating, perhaps it's time we finally quit
ingesting all those soda drinks. Back in 2011, a 10 year study of older adults
by researchers at the
University of Texas Health Science Center found that any diet soda
intake was linked to a 70% waistline increase
over a decade; those who drank two diet sodas a day were linked to waist
expansion by up to 500%!
Besides being linked to increased widening waists, below are a couple of other health reasons on why you should seriously consider switching from Coke to H20:
Besides being linked to increased widening waists, below are a couple of other health reasons on why you should seriously consider switching from Coke to H20:
Soda could make you lose your mind. This has to do with BVO, a preservative and flame-retardant for plastic that have been found in citrus sodas like Mountain Dew. The substance can cause nerve disorders and memory loss. A case report from 1997 explained a case of poisoning, possibly from drinking 2 to 4 liters of cola containing BVO a day.
Soda is linked to asthma. In a study published in January 2012 found an association between a heightened risk for asthma and other breathing conditions and drinking more than half a liter soda every day.
Soda builds fat deposits all over your body. A Danish study published in February 2012 tracked a group of obese and overweight people for six months, who either drank a liter per day of soda, or instead drank milk containing the same amount of calories, water or diet cola. The group consuming sugary drinks ended up with a higher amount of fat in the liver and muscles than other groups which can lead to heart disease later.
Soda consumption is associated with teen violence. A 2011 Harvard study conducted on Boston high school students found that the more soft drinks the teens drank, the more likely they were to be involved in violent acts (pushing, shoving and getting into fights).
Soda increases your risk of heart attack. A 2012 study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health researchers found that drinking just one sugary beverage a day was associated with a 20 percent increase in a man's risk of having a heart attack over a 22-year period.
Sugar drinks change your metabolism. A study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition in June of 2012, showed that drinking sugary drinks equivalent to about 140 grams of sugar every day for four weeks can affect the body's metabolism, making it more difficult to burn fat and lose weight.
Soda could shorten your lifespan. The high levels of phosphorus found in Cola have some researchers concerned it could shorten lifespan. A 2010 study conducted on mice with high phosphorus levels in their blood shortened their lifespans by about a quarter.
Soda has possible carcinogens. An independent study in 2012 uncovered 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, in Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi. The compound is used in the brown coloring in these sodas, and has been shown to sicken animals.
Most soda cans contain BPA. This has to do with an epoxy resin known as BPA, which is used to keep the acids in soda from reacting with the metal in cans. The substance is found in tons of plastic and metal containers. In studies, it has been linked to infertility, obesity and some cancers.
Even diet soda can be bad. Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found a link between older adults who drank diet soda daily and a 44% higher chance of heart attack and stroke.
Soda is linked to asthma. In a study published in January 2012 found an association between a heightened risk for asthma and other breathing conditions and drinking more than half a liter soda every day.
Soda builds fat deposits all over your body. A Danish study published in February 2012 tracked a group of obese and overweight people for six months, who either drank a liter per day of soda, or instead drank milk containing the same amount of calories, water or diet cola. The group consuming sugary drinks ended up with a higher amount of fat in the liver and muscles than other groups which can lead to heart disease later.
Soda consumption is associated with teen violence. A 2011 Harvard study conducted on Boston high school students found that the more soft drinks the teens drank, the more likely they were to be involved in violent acts (pushing, shoving and getting into fights).
Soda increases your risk of heart attack. A 2012 study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health researchers found that drinking just one sugary beverage a day was associated with a 20 percent increase in a man's risk of having a heart attack over a 22-year period.
Sugar drinks change your metabolism. A study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition in June of 2012, showed that drinking sugary drinks equivalent to about 140 grams of sugar every day for four weeks can affect the body's metabolism, making it more difficult to burn fat and lose weight.
Soda could shorten your lifespan. The high levels of phosphorus found in Cola have some researchers concerned it could shorten lifespan. A 2010 study conducted on mice with high phosphorus levels in their blood shortened their lifespans by about a quarter.
Soda has possible carcinogens. An independent study in 2012 uncovered 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, in Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi. The compound is used in the brown coloring in these sodas, and has been shown to sicken animals.
Most soda cans contain BPA. This has to do with an epoxy resin known as BPA, which is used to keep the acids in soda from reacting with the metal in cans. The substance is found in tons of plastic and metal containers. In studies, it has been linked to infertility, obesity and some cancers.
Even diet soda can be bad. Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found a link between older adults who drank diet soda daily and a 44% higher chance of heart attack and stroke.
