Soda Drinks Linked to Many Diseases

The soda market is huge in the United States despite the common health warnings against drinking soft drinks. For some reason, many individuals don't seem to think that the warnings are all that important, at least not enough to offset the sparkly taste and texture of these drinks.

The average American had about 789 carbonated beverages in 2007, and recently the soft drink business has been making a comeback in comparison to healthier drinks. Despite all the warnings and health risks, it looks like soft drinks are here to stay. However, it is important for you to know that there are other risks to sodas other than the "commonly known" ones of obesity, dehydration and the rotting of your teeth.

One of the harshest effects of drinking sodas on a regular basis is liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a very similar liver problem to that found in most alcoholics. (Yes, I said alcoholics.) Drinking soda can also be painful for you in a way you'd never expect. Because sodas have a high level of phosphoric acid, your urine can be changed to such a degree that it encourages kidney stones to form. Drinking three sodas per week is all you need for this to happen. Sounds like a painful trade-off!

Other problems that can occur due to soda consumption include an increased rate of blood pressure and heart disease. This is more of a combination of several factors you already know about-obesity, hypertension, elevated blood sugar levels, elevated triglyceride levels, and decreased levels of HDL or "good cholesterol." If you have three or more of these conditions consistently, you definitely need to change your habits.

And if these warnings weren't enough for you, then consider that drinking too much soda simply makes you feel BAD. Soda consumption contributes to acid reflux and upset stomach as well as digestive tract problems. The increased levels of acid in your digestive tract can cause inflammation of the stomach and even some erosion of the lining of your stomach and intestinal tract. Ouch! All of these things combined say one thing about sodas. They are simply bad news.

With all of the alternative drinks available, it is hard to imagine you would want to stick to soda with all of its negative health effects. There are fruit juices, flavored waters, and many other options that are better for you and will make you feel healthier instantly. Before picking up that next can of soda, consider your choices. Think about how you feel after drinking a soda and then try to imagine drinking something that would make you feel ten times better. Your body will thank you for it, and you might find yourself becoming addicted to a much healthier habit!