9 Reasons to Avoid Drinking Sodas by Penny Latham
This is why I don’t drink soda! What soda does to your urine! Soda is usually demonized for its insane sugar content (usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup), but did you know that soda can harm your health in other ways too? One of these ways is by starving your body of the precious minerals you need to maintain a healthy body, which can take a particularly harsh toll on your bones. Here’s how it works: Soda contains phosphoric acid You may recognize the name of this ingredient from soda labels, as it’s present in many soda beverages, from regular, to diet, to plain old soda water. This colorless, odorless acid is added to sodas to preserve the fizz and bubbles that keep people coming back for more.
Some sodas are very addicting for some people. It’s the chemical that gives soda that initial sharp “bite” when you first open it and start drinking it. It also serves to prevent mold and bacteria from growing in the soda, as they would normally thrive in such a sugary environment! Sounds good, right? Except that phosphoric acid wreaks havoc with our body’s ability to absorb and use crucial minerals like calcium and magnesium. Not only does it prevent these two minerals from being absorbed, but it also naturally seeks out calcium in the body, binds with it, and then heads directly for your bones. This is a big problem for your skeleton, as the compound may actually dissolve your bones — just like it does rust. This is actually a common use for the chemical. What all of this means is that soda consumption may lead to the following:
Calcium deficiency Calcium is one of the most important nutritional building blocks in our body. This mineral helps to maintain strong, healthy bones and teeth, and also aids in vascular contraction and muscle function, among other essential functions. Signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency include muscle cramps, insomnia, tooth decay, and weak and brittle nails. Not to mention the fact that getting enough calcium is crucial for bone health, as a long-term deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. If you fear you may be calcium deficient, it is important to see a medical practitioner. After you end your love affair with soda, here are some ways you can increase the calcium in your diet: While milk is the most common sources of calcium, many people have an intolerance to dairy, are vegan, or just don’t like the taste of milk. Fortunately, it’s not the only way to get the 1,000 mg per day that’s recommended for adults between the ages of 19 and 50. Try these other great
sources. Some studies show the first 30 years of your life is when you build up your calcium for later years in your geriatric years of when bone density declines.
Phosphorus Phosphorus is in almost all animal and vegetable foods and is often found in foods. This relates to one of the reasons why doctors 0 to 5 recommended for infants and children. Also containing fat and calcium such as milk and dairy products, fish bones (such as in canned salmon and sardines), and dark-green, leafy vegetables are the best sources of calcium. Magnesium, like phosphorus, is abundant in animal and plant cells.
Combining sugar and acids The Sugar and Acids in Soda Are a Disaster for Dental Health. It is a wellknown fact that sugary soda is bad for your teeth thus creating halitosis. Soda contains acids like phosphoric acid and carbonic acid. ... While the acids in soda can themselves cause damage, it is the combination with sugar that makes soda particularly harmful and can lead to diabetes. Some studies say that it removes the enamel off the teeth.
Kale Kale has become one of the most popular superfoods in recent years, but if you needed yet another incentive to eat your greens, just one cup of raw kale is packed with 90 mg of calcium, which means a 3.5-cup of kale salad offers more of this bone-building mineral than an 8-ounce glass of milk. Black-eyed peas: Black-eyed peas aren’t just a popular band: these legumes contain 185 mg of calcium in just a one-half cup, as well as being packed with potassium and folate potassium supporting the kidneys as well Sesame seeds: Just one ounce of sesame seeds contains 280 mg of calcium — almost as much as one cup of milk. They can also help reduce blood pressure and inflammation and may even aid in battling against certain cancers.
Seaweed Seaweed is an amazing nutrient-rich superfood, filled with vitamin B12, folate, iodine, and magnesium. It also packs 168 mg of calcium in each 100-gram serving Adding to the daily requirements. This is why sushi has become so popular. Even eating seaweed individually wrapped as a snack is very healthy. This is a big reason why the Japanese eating plan is so healthy and popular and why they sustain long life living off the ocean.
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