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Both children and adults love sweet drinks based on carbonated water as they help quench thirst. However, these drinks have a negative impact on health. This article will explain why it is important to give up carbonated drinks and provide tips on how to do it.
It is worth giving up carbonated drinks because they can have a negative impact on health, despite their ability to quench thirst effectively. Let’s discuss this in more detail.
Harmful to the stomach
American nutrition consultant Leah Kaufman states that carbon dioxide gas used to carbonate water is not harmful to the body by itself, but it can cause stomach problems. Drinking carbonated water on an empty stomach can increase acidity, which may result in bloating.
Moreover, frequent consumption of carbonated water can lead to impaired gastrointestinal motility, which is particularly harmful to individuals with gastrointestinal diseases like gastritis or ulcers.
Lead to excess weight
Barry Popkin, director of the interdisciplinary obesity program at the University of North Carolina, USA, notes that consuming sweet carbonated drinks contributes to gaining excess weight. He says:
Such drinks contain a lot of sugar, which adds many extra calories to the usual diet. This can lead to gaining extra pounds.
Contribute to worsening tooth health
In 2016, a study conducted in the USA found that carbonated drinks can contribute to dental enamel erosion, making it susceptible to temperature changes, bacteria, and damage, as well as increasing the risk of cavities. Scientists attribute this to the low pH of carbonated drinks, which increases their erosiveness, and the added acids, such as citric, apple, and phosphoric acid, which largely contribute to tooth damage.
Contribute to cellular aging
Scientists from the United States concluded in 2014 that sweet carbonated drinks can contribute to cellular aging in the body. In their study, they measured the length of leukocyte telomeres from DNA samples, which showed that the aging processes were more pronounced when the telomeres were shorter.
Individuals who frequently consumed sweet carbonated water had significantly shorter leukocyte telomeres compared to those who did not abuse it. The results were independent of body mass index, predisposition to obesity, and other individual characteristics of the participants.
The study also revealed that people who drink approximately 0.5 liters of sweet carbonated water per day may add an average of 4.6 years to their age compared to those who do not consume such beverages.
They contribute to acne exacerbation
In 2019, Chinese scientists discovered that consuming sweet carbonated water can worsen acne. They conducted a medical examination and surveyed 8197 students to collect data. The results showed that consuming sweet carbonated drinks more than seven times a week, particularly those with a total sugar content exceeding 100 grams, caused moderate to severe acne. Similarly, sweetened tea and fruit drinks with comparable sweeteners had the same impact.
Negatively affect memory
Neurologist Matthew P. Pase from Australia stated that frequent consumption of sweet soda can harm memory. Pase conducted a survey that included both soda consumers and non-consumers, and found that the first group performed worse on memory tests.
How to stop drinking soda
Giving up drinking carbonated drinks can be challenging for many people, who compare it to fighting a real addiction. However, there are several methods that can help overcome the desire to open another can of soda.
Find the right substitute
Plain water is the ideal substitute for soda. However, if you miss the flavor, you can find a replacement for your favorite drink. For instance, you can brew green tea, dilute jam with boiling water, or steep fruit to make a smoothie. It is worth noting that replacing carbonated drinks with coffee is not recommended.
Don’t be hungry
Following a proper diet is crucial to give up soda, as the craving for this drink often arises due to hunger. Therefore, it’s essential to stock up on healthy snacks and not skip meals throughout the day.
Find ways to treat yourself
Sweet soda is often a way for many people to indulge themselves after a hard day or improve their mood. To give up this habit, it’s essential to find alternatives. For instance, you can choose healthy foods such as yogurt or fruit as a reward instead of soda.
Ask for support
Refusing any product can be difficult, especially if it’s readily available in the fridge thanks to other household members. Therefore, it’s crucial to ask for support from those you live with. Even if your partner or family members are not ready to give up carbonated drinks themselves, you can ask them to consume them outside the house or store them where you cannot see them. This can help you avoid temptation, at least until your craving for them lessens.
Get enough sleep
Giving up carbonated drinks, particularly sweet ones, can cause fatigue, headaches, and irritability in many people. This is because the body reacts to a sudden change in the usual level of sugar it receives daily. Additionally, psychological discomfort can arise due to the absence of your favorite drink.
Therefore, when giving up carbonated drinks, it’s crucial to pay special attention to the quality and quantity of sleep you get. This can help conserve energy and cope with unpleasant symptoms.
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