Archive for January 13th, 2010
Just Why is Soda So Bad?
Of all the possible drinks out there, soda probably has one of the worst reputations, next to alcohol, for those trying to lose weight. Unlike alcohol however, there’s been no attempt to create a constitutional amendment banning it.
But what exactly is so very unhealthy about this favorite beverage? We should start with a basic rundown of the common soda suspects:
A standard soda contains caffeine, phosphoric acid, high-fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, carbonated water and added colors and flavors.
Caffeine:- Thanks to caffeine, soda acts as a dehydrating diuretic, particularly when combined with sugar and mixed with the carbonation that provides those bubbles.
Phosphoric Acid:- Soda, whether it’s caffeinated or not, is the most acidic beverage you can buy, about equal to vinegar, thanks to phosphoric acid.
Refined Sugar:- Sugar refining is the process of extracting out the sugar (sucrose) from plant materials and then removing other unwanted materials from the extracted raw sugar. Completely refined white sugar contains no nutritional value, meaning no vitamins, no minerals, no proteins and no fiber.
Preservatives:- A new health scare erupted over soft drinks recently amid evidence that sodium benzoate and other common soda preservatives may cause serious cell damage.
We know, soda tastes great. And as a society, we’ve been drinking it for so long that the idea of going without is almost painful. But, know that there are some tasty alternatives out there; including pure water flavored with anything from basil and mint to lemon and orange slices, even with a little honey.