by Elizabeth Claire

Created on: January 24, 2009

The True Drop on Soda Pop

In 2000, statistics showed that, on average, Americans were consuming fifty-three gallons of soda pop per person, per year. That is approximately 565 cans per year.

With the average amount of sugar in a twelve-ounce can of soda pop being 41 grams (equivalent to ~10 teaspoons), that is approximately 58 pounds of sugar on top any other sugary treats Americans consume on a daily basis. This amount of liquid sugar has been automatically increased by the rising popularity of twenty-ounce bottles of soda; now considered the more "standard size" than the traditional twelve-ounce can.

And we wonder why our country, including our children, is fatter and more unhealthy now than ever before? Sugar and soda are big contributors to the sad statistics. If you are unaware of what sugar can do to your body, a simple search of the Internet on, for example, "effects of sugar on the human body" will provide you with some eye opening information.

"But I drink Diet Soda," you say, "so I avoid the added calories and/or sugar." Diet soda drinkers can, instead, factor in large quantities of chemical sweeteners into their yearly diet; and these chemicals present a special set of problems all their own. Again, a quick search of the Internet will provide numerous sites filled with information on those blue, pink, and yellow packets.

Beyond the obvious sugar/sweetener issues above, sodas (both diet and regular) contain phosphorus, which along with calcium, are two of the most abundant minerals in the human body, with most of them contained in the bones and teeth. The typical American diet already contains more phosphorus than calcium, and too much phosphorus without enough calcium in the diet interferes with the body's ability to absorb/use calcium, which can then lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones.

Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which can lead to digestive difficulties and interference with nutrient absorption in the body.

Truth to tell, there is absolutely no nutritional value to soda at all. It is wasted energy from your body to process it, and the ingredients that make up the "tasty treat" only tax your system and set you up for possible future problems.

If you only have time and energy to make one big choice that will enhance your health and vitality? NO MORE SODA.

If you really need something bubbly, try some sparkling mineral water and squeeze in some fresh lemon or orange juice.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Claire.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.