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6 harmful effects of sugary soda

6 harmful effects of sugary soda

Sugary sodas are the go-to drinks for many, especially when they are looking for a cold beverage. Some sodas that contain lots of sugar might also be marketed as energy drinks to help one stay awake or take on a strenuous task. But such sugary drinks can do more harm than good, especially when one has such beverages every day. So, here are seven ways in which sugary beverages affect health:

Liver problems
Sugary drinks are usually loaded with compounds like glucose and fructose. While glucose can be metabolized by all cells in the body, fructose is only broken down by the liver. When one has too many sugar-rich drinks, the liver may be overwhelmed. As a result, instead of breaking down all of the fructose, some of it gets converted into fat. A portion of such fat stays in the liver, which can trigger certain types of liver diseases.

Leptin resistance
Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells and regulates the number of calories an individual eats and burns. The levels of this hormone can fluctuate in response to certain factors, and excessive intake of sugary sodas could make the body resistant to the hormone’s effects, which is known as leptin resistance. This could make the body burn fewer calories than it should. Further, as a result of the resistance, the brain is unable to tell when one is full after eating, making one overeat.

Type 2 diabetes
Insulin is a hormone responsible for the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. However, a high intake of sugar leads to excessive production of insulin, over time making the cells resistant to the effects of insulin, known as insulin resistance. The phenomenon is associated with the pancreas producing more insulin to remove glucose from the bloodstream, causing a spike in blood insulin levels. Resistance to insulin is a key trigger for health conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Lack of nutrition
Despite the temporary energy boost that one may get from sugar-rich sodas, such drinks may not offer essential vitamins, minerals, or fibers. So, the drink has no nutritional value and provides only calories to the body.

Increased risk of heart diseases
Excessive intake of sugar is linked to a higher risk of heart disease. When one overeats, the body stores additional calories in the form of fat called triglycerides. However, a meal regimen rich in sugar may further increase the amount of such fats in the body, increasing the risk of heart disease. High sugar intake may also lead to an increase in bad cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart diseases.

Poor oral health
Sodas contain carbonic and phosphoric acid. The compounds usually create a highly acidic environment in the mouth, attacking the teeth and making them more vulnerable to decay. Further, the high sugar content in these drinks may further aggravate such symptoms by providing easily digestible energy to unhealthy bacteria in the mouth. So, regularly drinking sweetened beverages could worsen oral health.

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