The Dangers of Soft Drinks

There are very few of us that don’t occasionally like to guzzle down a carbonated drink such as cola from time to time. However, few people are fully aware of the dangers associated with regular consumption of such beverages. The most obvious health hazard of over consumption of non-sugar free soft drinks is their high caloric and sugar content which is heavily linked with health issues such as obesity and diabetes. However, there are many lesser knows risks that consumption of these drinks entail. The following are a few notable points.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Regular soft drinks typically contain a sweetener known as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS has been associated with an increased risk of both diabetes and heart disease. Although similar in calorie content, HFCS is considered more dangerous than standard table sugar due to the way that it is metabolised by the liver. By being broken down more rapidly than other sugars, it can lead to changes in triglyceride and lipid metabolism, thus increasing the risk of issues such as heart disease.
Phosphoric Acid
Soft drinks also typically contain phosphoric acid. A diet high in phosphate has been linked with bone breakdown and in turn, an increased risk of osteoporosis. It also contributes to digestive problems and tooth rot.
Caffeine
The presence of caffeine in many soft drinks is an issue that can be particularly problematic for children. Although the caffeine content may be much lower than that of tea or coffee, excessive consumption can still contribute to caffeine dependence and increase the risk of behavioural problems and insomnia.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a chemical which is used as a sugar substitute in many DIET soft drinks. It is a dangerous chemical food additive. Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. It has been linkled with literally dozens of serious conditions such as; cancer; birth defects; emotional disorders; diabetes etc…