by M W

Created on: February 27, 2008

Soft drinks are a huge problem. They hold no nutritional value worthy of substituting in place of water and milk. They are sugary and lack in vitamins and minerals. A few key troubles include:

OBESITY. Among children and teenagers this is more common now than it was in the fifties, where they then drank twice the amount more of milk and water over soft drinks, which is easily the choice beverage of today. Excessive weight gain easily raises ones chances of heart disease, kidney infections, breathing syndromes, strokes, diabetes and even cancers.

DEHYDRATION. We should have a proper water intake of 8 or so drinking glasses per day. Soft drinks cannot substitute for hydrating beverages. It has even been known to dehydrate, but meanwhile we drink more thinking we are merely thirsty still. Nothing can take the place of water, which makes up, on average, 60% of our body mass.

EMPTY CALORIES. Without proper vitamins and minerals we are filling our body with useless materials and limiting our proper intake. Soft drinks take up space, and mostly they are used as a substitute for water and milk, where many of our vitamins and minerals come from, including calcium for strong bones and teeth.

TEETH DECAY. The acid in soda, along with the sugar, wears heavily on our teeth. Erosion causes chipping and thinning of our enamel. Dentists highly urge individuals to cut back on soda intake to prevent decay. Soft drinks do not provide calcium for good strong teeth.

CAFFEINE. We are wired and anxious while drinking caffeine. We do not sleep properly. It has also been known to cause breathing problems, heart disease, hyperactivity in children especially, and even allergic reactions. Caffeine is an addictive substance and stimulant.

Soft drinks are highly advertised and marketed. They are everywhere and in more abundance than a bottled water or a carton of milk. They have spicy commercials promoting happy productive people, wired by caffeine and having a blast, drinking a good looking product. Meanwhile the risk of heart attacks, obesity, and many other problems continue to rise up while nutritional intake declines.

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