The Health Dangers of Soda

Dr. Ranit Mishor for Parade Magazine reports that the National Kidney Foundation estimates that 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD).  The kidneys are bean-shaped structures found just below the ribs in your back and are responsible for filtering the blood and excreting harmful chemicals.  When damaged the body's ability to get rid of waste is reduced anc anc affect blood pressure, bone strength, and blood production.  Even low levels of kidney disease can contribute to heart failure, arterial disease, and strokes.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are leading risk factors for CKD, followed by weight gain and smoking.  A recent study done at Loyola University in Chicago finds that women of normal weight who drank two or more cans of soda a day are almost twice as likely to show early signs of CKD.   The researchers looked at data from more than 900 adults, and believe the culprit may be the high-fructose corn syrup in many sodas. 

Although this same was affect was not found in men or in people who drink diet soda, there are many other reasons to stop drinking soda.  According to the Global Healing Center :

• High Fructose Corn Syrup, now used in preference to sugar in sodas, is associated with poor development of collagen in growing animals, especially in the context of copper deficiency. All fructose must be metabolized by the liver. Animals on high-fructose diets develop liver problems similar to those of alcoholics.
• Aspartame, used in diet sodas, is a potent neurotoxin and endocrine disrupter.
• Caffeine stimulates the adrenal gland without providing nourishment. In large amounts, caffeine can lead to adrenal exhaustion, especially in children.
• Phosphoric acid, added to give soft drinks "bite," is associated with calcium loss.
• Citric acid often contains traces of MSG, a neurotoxin.
• Artificial Flavors may also contain traces of MSG.
• Water may contain high amounts of fluoride and other contaminants.

Another problem found in people who drink soda, particularly teenagers, is general gastrointestinal (GI) distress. This includes increased stomach acid levels requiring acid inhibitors and moderate to severe gastric inflammation with possible stomach lining erosion. The common complaint I hear is chronic "stomach ache." In almost every case, when the client successfully abstains from sodas and caffeine, the symptoms will go away.

What causes these symptoms? We know that many soda brands contain caffeine and that caffeine does increase stomach acid levels. What we may not be aware of is that sodas also contain an array of chemical acids as additives, such as acetic, fumaric, gluconic and phosphoric acids, all of them synthetically produced. That is why certain sodas work so well when used to clean car engines. For human consumption, however, the effects are much less satisfying and quite precarious. Drinking sodas, especially on an empty stomach, can upset the fragile acid-alkaline balance of the stomach and other gastric lining, creating a continuous acid environment. This prolonged acid environment can lead to inflammation of the stomach and duodenal lining which becomes quite painful. Over the long term, it can lead to gastric lining erosion.

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