The Negative Effects of Soda - Research Paper Example

Module The Negative Effects of Soda The Past few decades have seen soda emerge almost as the staple beverage in the United s. Some decades back, a soda was considered a treat but today it has become a common beverage that is offered to both adults and children. To many this is just a simple drink but to experts, consumption of soda has negative impacts on the body. This paper aims at looking into these negative impacts of soda consumption to the human body. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Increased consumption of soda is being linked to be the leading factor in the increasing cases of obesity in the U.S. Furthermore, continued extensive research has found that the continued consumption of soda does not only increase one’s waistline, but it also has other devastating effects on the human body (Thorndike, Sonnenberg, Riis, Barraclough and Levy 528). A just concluded study by the UCLA revealed that 62% of adolescents aged between 12 and 17 and 41% of kids aged between 2 and 11 years drank on average a single or more sodas in a day (Bubbling 9). This is seconded by the fact that sales of milk in 2009 were exceeded by almost $5 billion; with comparison data coming from the sales of carbonated beverages which averaged about $18.7 billion the same year (Bubbling 11). The high sales recorded in the carbonated beverages may be attributed to the fact that most, if not all, beverages are cheap and easily affordable by many, including children. The year 2000 saw a consumption of more than 15 billion gallons of soft drinks leaving every man, woman and child with a consumption rate of about one-12 ounce in a single day (Malik, Schulze and Hu 274). The increased consumption of soft drinks, mainly soda, in adolescents can be attributed to the fact that they feel they get more bang for their back by buying a super-size soda rather than an 8-ounce carton of milk with low fat content, about 1% (Malik, Schulze and Hu 275). Another study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2003 compared the increments in portion sizes for beverages as well as for typical foods. The study revealed that the consumption of soda had gone up by 60% from the year 1991 to 1996 (Sohn, Burt and Sowers 262). Effect on Health and the Risk of Chronic Disease. Statistics show that more people, children in particular, are consuming soda and other related soft drinks. This can be attributed to the easy trap posed by the insane overabundance of flavors and varieties of soft drinks. These flavors and varieties of drinks range from diet, regular, with or with no caffeine, to fruity drinks and a host of other energy drinks. Ludwig, Peterson and Gortmaker (505) believe that that the consumption of soda has a detrimental effect on weight control as a result of the additional calories provided by each sweetened soda and or soft drink. Another study revealed that a soda, for instance, Coke, can serve a whole seventeen teaspoonfuls of sugar in every twenty-oz serving. In addition, Sohn, Burt and Sowers (263) argue that a direct estimate or rather conversion of these teaspoons of sugar to calories estimates to about 240 calories that include 65g of sugar. Many argue that these amounts are insignificant but the major problem is persistent consumption of the drink. According to Thorndike et al. (532) consumption of, say, one or two sodas in a day as per the average estimates of the U.S and the trend continues for say a year will result in an accumulation of about 87,600 calories which when converted is around 25 pounds gained in just one year. For a person weighing 150 pounds, Ludwig, Peterson and Gortmaker (506) affirm that this increase will result in an increased disease risk of 16%. As a result, the possibility of one developing type-2 diabetes is increased as well due to the increased concentration and or consumption of sugars (Thorndike et al. 533). In children, the choices made regarding diet are believed to have a direct hand in the prevalence of insulin resistance. Other Risks. Weight control and obesity are not the only issues of concern regarding the increasing rate of consuming sodas. Other risks including loss of mineralization which lead to an increased vulnerability to bone fractures and tooth decay are also involved with high rates of consuming soda (Malik, Schulze and Hu 277). These can be attributed to the fact that children choose sweetened beverages rather than fortified milk hence; most children get very little Vitamin D and Calcium in their diets which makes them more vulnerable to bone fractures and breaking of teeth. Vitamin D and Calcium play a vital role in the ensuring of healthy teeth (Sohn, Burt and Sowers 263). It is used to promote the absorption of phosphorous and calcium as well as take part in depositing these minerals in teeth and bones which in turn makes them healthier and stronger. Milk has been fortified by Vitamin D with an aim to eliminate the deficiency of the mineral in children. However, Ludwig, Peterson and Gortmaker (507) report that children are decreasingly consuming this milk and instead there is an increasing trend of consuming soft drinks and juice and as a result increasing the probability of occurrence of the Vitamin D deficiency like rickets or defective growth of the bones due to the lack of the vital Vitamin D at a crucial stage of their growth. Soda is increasingly being attributed to negative impacts. According to Malik, Schulze and Hu (279), soda plays a major role in weakening of bones due to the active ingredient phosphoric acid contained in most sodas. Phosphorous is not only found in naturally occurring foods but it can also be found in soda which when consumed catalyses the loss of calcium hence weakening bones. Depriving the bones from calcium makes the bones porous thus becoming brittle; and as a result, Sohn, Burt and Sowers (264) affirm that the bones become vulnerable to fractures and can easily break. Furthermore, the increasing rate of consumption of soda has been linked with the increasing rate of occurrence of osteoporosis (Ludwig, Peterson and Gortmaker 508). There is a developing worry in young girls that the continued consumption of phosphorous in sodas robs the bones off calcium that is vital to them during their stages of growth. Another major component of regular or diet soda is caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant or rather a drug and is believed to be addictive. Caffeine, as many believe, is mostly found in coffee, but consumption of soda also constitutes consumption of caffeine. Caffeine helps stimulate or rather arouse someone’s feelings from a dormant situation or mood (Malik, Schulze and Hu 283). Children’s continued consumption of soda means that they will reach a time when they are addicted to the drink and cannot function normally when in absence of the soda. Another concern about consumption of soda is associated with the yellow number five dye used in a variety of sodas. This substance has been linked with possible occurrence of allergies, ADHD, and asthma in children. In adults, this substance is associated with kidney stones and an increased risk. Furthermore, Malik, Schulze and Hu (286) believe that the aluminium cans in which sodas are packaged pose a great concern as increasing links are continuing to be drawn with Alzheimer’s disease via the percolation of the aluminium into the soda. There is no or little chance the consumption of soda will reduce (Sohn, Burt and Sowers 266) which poses a great task to individuals and nations in the struggle towards reducing the consumption of sodas and other related soft drinks and increase the consumption of milk and the normal 8 glasses of water a day. To achieve this, a number of issues need to be addressed among the regulation of vending machines in schools; something that is already happening in larger parts of the US and major developing nations as well as the proposed levying of heavy taxes on sodas (Thorndike et al. 533). Health practitioners also play a vital role in determining the diets of many people (patients). As a result, they can play a role in reducing the heavy consumption of beverages containing high sugars by the general public. It is believed that many who indulge in heavy consumption or at least most who consume soda are not aware of the harm it causes to their bodies (Malik, Schulze and Hu 287). Once people are made aware of the dangers associated with overconsumption of sodas and other related soft drinks, and the possible harm they could potentially inflict to their bodies, the chances of changing and adopting new ‘healthier’ foods as part of their lifestyle are high. Doctors, health educators and dietitians can help encourage the public to look for suitable nutritional guidance so as to help them know and understand the food label and the significance it has in benefiting themselves and their families too. Healthcare providers should work towards setting aside quality time for training as well as resource development and institutional support so as to develop their ability to sound prevention bells in clinical practices and become an advocate for community education regarding healthy nutritional practices (Malik, Schulze and Hu 288). In conclusion, it is essential to put together all efforts and direct them towards finding a means in which to control the rising consumption of soda. Whatever way, if a practical and realistic means to control consumption of soft drinks is not found particularly in kids and adolescents, there will be a continued trend in increased levels of obesity and as a result increase the cost of healthcare far much than the country can accommodate. Works Cited Bubbling over: soda consumption and its link to obesity in California. The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2009. Print. Ludwig, D. S., Peterson, K. E. and Gortmaker, S. L. Relation between Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks and Childhood Obesity: A Prospective, Observational Analysis, 2001. Print. Malik, V. S., Schulze, M. B. and Hu, F. B. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: A systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr, 2006. Print. Overweight and obesity: causes and consequences. Centers for disease control and prevention. 2012. Web. Nov. 28, 2012. Sohn, W., Burt B. A. and Sowers, M. R. Carbonated soft drinks and dental caries in the primary dentition. J Dent Res, 2006. Print. Thorndike, A. N., Sonnenberg, L., Riis, J., Barraclough, S. and Levy. D. E. A 2-phase labeling and choice architecture intervention to improve healthy food and beverage choices. American Journal of Public Health, 2012. Print. Read More