Our enthusiasm for soft drinks dates back to the 18th century. The term soft drink or soda refers to a drink that usually contains carbon dioxide, water, artificial sugar or sweetener, natural or artificial flavors, coloring and sometimes caffeine.
According to the review the observer, every second, the French consume 450 liters of soft drinks, including about 230 liters of bottled water, 125 liters of soda, 50 liters of fruit juice and 45 liters of syrups. This is a level that generally puts them above the European average.
These sodas for the most part do not contain any nutrients. They are notorious, harmful to health because of their high sugar content.
What are the harmful effects of sugary soft drinks?
Regular consumption of soft drinks favors a problem of obesity and interferes with the dentition because the sugar of sodas supports bacteria, agents responsible for the appearance of caries. However, researchers at Boston University have found in two studies published in the Alzheimer's & dementia and Stroke magazines that artificially sweetened beverages, known as light drinks, in addition to their ability to develop heart disease, also have impact on the human brain by increasing the risk of stroke and dementia. In other words, it is the destruction of the brain. Worse, light drinks based on sweeteners would triple the risk of these diseases.
By using MRI imaging, cognitive testing, and existing data, researchers have found that consuming more than two or three sugary drinks a day results in a reduction in brain volume. It is a narrowing of the brain, which reduces the size of the hippocampus and causes a deterioration of memory. The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobes and is involved in memorization. This is one of the first structures affected in Alzheimer's disease. Even a light soda a day causes a decrease in brain volume.
Other harm related to sodas
Boston University has shown the first link between sodas and dementia, but there is other medical research that links artificially sweetened beverages to a multitude of other health problems, including:
Depression: Drinking more than four soda cans daily may be linked to a 30% higher risk of depression. this is even stronger in people consuming light sodas.
Kidney damage: The consumption of long-term sugary soft drinks is linked to a 30% reduction in kidney function. Some drinks contain high levels of phosphoric acid that is closely related to the development of kidney stones and other kidney problems.
Diabetes Type 2: Drinking daily soft drinks increases your risk of developing the metabolic syndrome that often leads to cardiovascular problems or type 2 diabetes. Fructose, contained in large amounts in sodas via sucrose , is the main cause. (A can of soda equals six pieces of sugar). Fructose increases the level of insulin but also that of certain lipids present in the blood.
Alternative to sugary soft drinks
In order to avoid drinking drinks that tend to harm our health, let's try alternatives such as:
- Organic tea: this drink, in addition to its many health benefits, reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 86%.
- Coffee: Drinking coffee can reduce the risk of developing a depression of 10%.
- Seasonal fruit and vegetable juice: this kind of drink brings to the body the essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements for its proper functioning.
- Kombucha: Known as "Immortal Health Elixir" by the Chinese, it is full of probiotics for the gut. Kombucha is a sour drink of Mongol origin, considered in the United States as a health elixir. It is made from the fermentation of black tea or green tea by a symbiosis of yeasts and bacteria. The result is a slightly carbonated drink with a mild cider taste. In France, we find the kombucha in organic stores, it acts as a natural probiotic.
Advice :
It is advisable to use organic tea to be sure of its quality. Organic tea does not contain chemicals or pesticides. The consumption or use of organic tea allows you to fully enjoy the taste and all the medicinal virtues of tea.