You might take a soda on a hot day to cool off. However, turning that into a habit can cause detrimental health effects. While it might be tempting to drink a glass or two daily, you should consider reducing your sugary drink intake.
What are sugary drinks?
Sugary drinks are beverages that contain added sweeteners or sugars. These beverages add little or no nutritional value to your body and are the most common source of calories. Sugary drinks consist of different types of added sugars, such as:
- Corn syrup
- Honey
- Sucrose
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Syrup
- Fruit juice concentrates
Sugary beverages are available as sodas, sports energy drinks, sweetened coffee, energy drinks, tea, fruit juices, etc.
While fruit beverages have some health benefits, they have a lot of calories that can cause adverse health effects. A cup of fruit juice contains about 110 calories, similar to the number of calories in soda.
Problems with excessive consumption of sugary drinks (Age, weight, sex, race)
According to CDC, the highest percentage of adults who take sugary beverages in the US are non-Hispanic Mexican American and Black people. Men are the highest percentage of the US population that takes sugary beverages.
About 50% of native Americans and people of color are likely to develop type 2 diabetes from sugary drinks consumption.
According to a scientific study conducted on 120,000 men and women, those that increased their sugary beverage consumption by 12 ounces daily gained more weight over time compared to those whose intake remained the same.
Women who took more than 2 servings of sugary beverages daily were more prone to developing heart diseases and dying from heart attacks than women who rarely took sugary drinks.
Health issues caused by drinking sugary beverages
High sugar intake causes several health effects. Below are some health issues associated with sugary drink consumption.
Diabetes
Individuals that consume one or more cans of sugary drinks daily have a 26% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who seldom drink sugary beverages.
According to a study by the University of Cambridge, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased as the intake of sugary drinks increased.
Gaining weight and obesity
Added sugars in sugary beverages don’t provide nutritional value to the body. As such, you consume a lot of calories, but don’t feel full. To address this, especially for those with weight management goals, meal plans from a weight loss clinic might include meal replacement shakes to control sugary intakes and encourage consumption of healthier alternatives.
When you don’t feel satisfied, you are likely to consume solid food in addition to your sugary beverage. Combining solid food and beverage intake leads to more calories and, ultimately, more weight.
According to a scientific study, individuals who consumed sugary soda on top of their usual diet consumed 17% additional calories.
Obesity also stems from hormonal imbalance. Common hormonal imbalance symptoms include muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, and obesity.
If you don’t take sugary drinks, consider consulting an expert to discover the underlying issue. Your doctor might suggest viewing Sermorelin before and after pictures and results . Be sure to consider all the pros and cons.
Heart diseases
Sugary drinks are linked to heart disease and failure. Such heart diseases include high blood sugar, dense LDL particles, etc.
According to a 20-year study conducted on 40,000 men, those that took one can of sugary drink daily had a 20% higher risk of developing a heart attack or dying from one compared to men who rarely took sugary drinks.
Risk of gout
Consuming sugary drinks increases the risk of developing gout in both men and women. According to a study by the Arthritis Foundation, men who took two or more sugary beverages daily have an 85% higher risk of developing gout than those that take one soda monthly.
Problems with bone health
Taking sugary drinks increases the risk of developing bone issues. Your bones need minerals like calcium to remain healthy.
When you substitute healthy drinks like milk for sugary drinks, you deny your bones the nutrients they need to grow strong. Soft drinks most contain phosphate, a mineral that is not beneficial for your bones.
Kidney diseases
Sugary drinks are linked to kidney problems. According to a study by American Kidney Fund, taking two or more sugary drinks daily increases your risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Sugary beverages have also been linked to the development of kidney stones.
Sugary drinks are linked to chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which increase the risk of developing kidney conditions.
Tooth decay and cavities
Taking sugary beverages causes dental problems like tooth decay and cavities. When the bacteria between the teeth is exposed to sugar, it forms an acid, which damages your teeth and causes cavities. The best way to prevent tooth decay and cavities is to avoid drinking sugary beverages.
Liver disease
Sugary drinks are linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. When you consume too many sugary drinks, your liver becomes overloaded. The liver then turns the sugars into fats.
When these fats build up, you might develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Drinking one or more sugary drinks every day for about 5-7 years can lead to fatty liver disease.
Takeaway
Sugary drinks are the leading cause of health problems such as heart disease, weight gain, obesity, liver disease, etc. Sugary drinks include sodas, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. Reducing your intake of sugary drinks is the key to a healthy body. For more expert health assistance, fill out our form today.
