For a lot of people, soda was a big part of their diets growing up. Every major meal would be usually accompanied by two cups of their favorite soda. They saw nothing wrong with it, but you’d be surprised how much and how quickly your health improves when you finally decided to stop drinking soda and increase your water intake.
You probably didn’t even know that soda was such a big reason for your decline in health. Your body immediately transforms into a vessel of health and vitality as soon as you put the fizzy stuff down. Here is what happens when you quit soda.
Your Heart Health Improves
In the 2011 International Study of Macro/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure from the American Heart Association, researchers found that soda raises your blood pressure.
Soda increases your risk of chronic heart disease. A 2012 study conducted by Harvard University found that participants who were soda addicts were 20% more likely to have a heart attack.
Your Risk of Chronic Disease Decreases
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 68.8% of American adults are overweight or obese. The average American consumes 44 gallons of soda a year, which is 44 gallons of high-calorie, low-nutrition liquids polluting our bodies and making us fat!
Obesity is a window into many chronic illnesses including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. By cutting your soda habit, not only will you decrease your likelihood of getting these diseases, you’ll lose a lot of weight too!
Your Reproductive Health Improves
Some soda cans contain a dangerous chemical: Bysphenol-A or BPA. BPA has not only been linked to an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer, studies have also revealed its negative effects on the endocrine system. BPA can cause premature puberty and infertility, metabolic disorder, even type 2 diabetes.
Your Kidney Health Improves
Researchers from the Nurses’ Health Study discovered that women who drank several sodas a day, regardless of whether they drank diet sodas or regular sodas, had a 30% greater reduction in kidney function in 20 years compared to women who did not drink soda.
You’ll Grow Stronger Bones
Soda doesn’t have a chemical that destroys your bones, but if you’re drinking a lot of soda, you’re probably not drinking enough nutritious beverages that aid in bone health such as milk or fortified orange juice.
You’ll Get Fewer Bladder Infections
Soda is diuretic, meaning that it increases your need to urinate. Constant urination can irritate your bladder, causing bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs). To avoid this, drink more water and unsweetened juices to keep your urinary tract clear and healthy.
You’ll Have a Better Smile
A 2013 study observed a woman who drank two liters of diet soda every day for three to five years. The results? She had the same levels of tooth decay as a meth addict!
Your Cognition Will Improve
Long-term consumption of sugar, which soda is high in, leads to impaired learning and behavioral plasticity.
In summary, leave soda in the soda aisle. Your body will thank you for it.
Sources:
http://simpleorganiclife.org/quit-drinking-soda/
http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/early/2011/02/28/HYPERTENSIONAHA.110.165456.abstract?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=sugar-sweetened+beverages&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/overweight-obesity-statistics.aspx
http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/03/americans-drink-44-gallons-soda-year/62977/
https://www.kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/spring10/DietSoda
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/soda-osteoporosis
