Soft Drinks ‘N Health

Can popping open a can of soda have long-tem effects on your health? The answer depends on who you ask, beverage producers or medical researchers, however I believe the answer rests somewhere in the middle. As with everything in life, balance is central in making those daily decision affecting immediate, short, and long term matters. Anything in excess can be problematic. That being said, let’s take a look at the beverage industry and health related concerns associated with overindulging in soft drinks.

         The Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) reports Americans consume approximately 50 gallons of soft drinks each year translating to thousands of calories depending on the type of regular soda you drink. Drinking diet soda, of course, reduces calories to almost nothing, however like regular soda it also contains harmful chemical like aspartame. Another popular beverage is the relatively new energy drinks, which contain caffeine, sugar, vitamins, and minerals providing a temporary boost in energy. The BMC reports energy drink consumption is on the rise with a staggering 49% growth in 2006 alone.

What health related concerns are associated with drinking too many soft drinks? I’ll take a look at four studies to answer that question. First, a team of researches completed a meta-analysis of 88 studies examining scientific research on soft drink consumption and links to energy (food/drink) intake, body weight, milk/calcium intake, nutrition, and overall health. Not surprising, researchers found a distinct difference in food industry funded and non-food industry funded studies. The findings of their meta-analysis concluded several statistically significant concerns to be aware of the next time you reach for a soft drink.

The chief find is a link between soft drink intake and increased energy consumption whereby individuals take in more energy as they take in more soft drinks, which suggest a possible increase in “hunger, decrease satiety, or simply calibrate people to a high level of sweetness that generalizes to preferences in other foods.”

Predictably, the increased consumption of soft drinks also reduced the consumption of milk and calcium, fruit, dietary fiber, and various nutrients and conversely elevated carbohydrate intake. Secondly, the review suggests a link between soft drink intake and medical issues most notable rises in blood pressure and diabetes. “The most striking finding, in a study of 91 249 women followed for 8 years, was that those who consumed 1 or more servings of soft drinks per day (less than the US national average) were at twice the risk of developing diabetes as those who consumed less than 1 serving per month.”

The overriding theme indicates soft drinks displace other nutrient rich foods and drinks often resulting in medical problems. [Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. By: Vartanian, Lenny R., Schwartz, Marlene B., Brownell, Kelly D., American Journal of Public Health, 00900036, Apr2007, Vol. 97, Issue 4]

Another researcher, Katherine Tucker, PhD, director of the center's Dietary Assessment and Epidemiology Research Program at Tufts' Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging examined 2,500 questioners of people with an average age of 60 investigating diet and bone-mineral density in the spine and hip region. The study’s results link cola consumption with lower bone density in three areas of the hip for women, but not for men. The more cola drinks consumed, including diet, the lower their bone density was. Interestingly, the study found no link between drinking non-cola carbonated soft drinks and bone density. Phosphoric acid is one ingredient found in cola drinks and not often found in non-cola drinks, which maybe an ingredient for further research in this area.

A third study in Norway examined approximately 5,500 tenth grade boys and girls looking at sugar-contained soft drink consumption and mental health problems, hyperactivity, and conduct issues. Researchers also calculated in eating habits, social, and behavioral variables in their results. Findings indicate adolescents consuming high amounts (4 or more) of sugar-containing soft drinks each day show higher rates of mental health issues. [Consumption of Soft Drinks and Hyperactivity, Mental Distress, and Conduct Problems Among Adolescents in Oslo, Norway. By: Lien, Lars, Lien, Nanna, Heyerdahl, Sonja, Thoresen, Magne, Bjertness, Espen, American Journal of Public Health, 00900036, Oct2006, Vol. 96, Issue 10]

Lastly, Healthy Day conducted a four year study of individuals consuming more than one soft drink a day finding them 44 percent more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than those who drank one or less a day. Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors connected to cardiovascular disease and the development of diabetes.

As stated at the beginning of this blog entry, we all need to be conscientious of the food and drinks we consume everyday and balance in this quest is key. While the information about soft drink consumption is striking, having an occasional drink seems acceptable as consumption rates in low quantities have not indicated any harm. So, drink your water, milk, 100% fruit juice, and have an occasional soft drink with your cheesy pizza.

To find out how much caffeine is in your favorite beverage click here.

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Comments

[Jace S.]

I drink probably 5 soda/soft drinks a day. I don't feel any different than I did when I just drank coffee. I guess I can see where It could be harmful To replace regular healthy drinks like milk and juice. In all I think my drinking habits need to change due to the facts stated from the studies.

[Karmen]

Yes, not only are soft drinks and sodas bad for your health. They are also bad for your teeth! My cousin has no teeth and I would say it's probably due to the fact that he drinks soda only. I bet there are some more studies about that. I stick to the basics, Water, milk, and the occasional juice.

[Hersel]

I grew up getting a soda once and a blue moon. I guess that's why I crave it soo much now that I'm older. It really stinks that it's bad for me cause I really love it! Well for the most part anyway I try to only partake in a few a week and I make sure they're a no calorie soda. I presume that is okay being that I don't drink as much now.

[Karrie King]

So by drinking soda I'm more likely to make poor choices with my eating habits. That is not fun at all. Are there studies like this about other beverages like tea and lemonade? If so I'd like to see them.