I was with friends recently and during our conversation I realized that my friends had erratic eating habits and moreover, they were all addicted to aerated drinks or what is commonly called as ‘Soft Drinks’. While they were not bothered about what an aerated drink could possibly do to their health, most of them were under the impression that it’s good for health or rather nothing can happen if they consumed aerated drinks. When I realised this, I told them how soft drinks aren’t good for health. And that was it… in the next few minutes I was flooded with questions like why one should not have aerated drinks? What does it contain?
I explained to them that soft drinks are carbonated drinks made of water, sugar or artificial sweeteners, flavors etc. Technically, carbon dioxide is dissolved into water at low temperatures under high pressures and carbonation machines are used to make it fizzy. Also, phosphoric acid, lead acetate, methyl benzene, potassium solvent, sodium benzoate are all present and if you read the label on the bottles you will find all these names.
Reasons Why Aerated Drinks Are Bad For You
- Phosphoric acid present in aerated drinks damage bones and the enamel of teeth
- Lead acetate damages kidneys and nerves
- They contains aspartame (an artificial low-calorie sweetener) that makes you feel hungry and crave food. That may lead to loads of calories and ultimately unhealthy weight gain
- Some people who are addicted to soft drinks are deprived of nutrients and that could lead to malnutrition
- Aerated drinks have zero nutrients so no nutritive value
- They dehydrates the body
- According to research, an aerated drink has Ph of 3.4 (that’s acidic) but is acceptable to human system as its below Ph 7. Albeit, it can create hyper-acidity
- If consumed along with meals, the nutrients in the food will not be absorbed.
If you are addicted to aerated drinks, you need to know that they have an effect on oral hygiene. If you need to have a soft drink then use a straw to reduce direct contact with teeth. Secondly, rinse your mouth with water after consuming a soft drink.
Are “Diet” Drinks Better Than The Normal Ones?
There is nothing good about aerated drinks and particularly “Diet” drinks which are misrepresented to be a healthier option. The only difference between a diet drink and a normal one is that to make it sweet they don’t add sugar but use artificial sweeteners. They’re both still carbonated and still dehydrate the body. To add to it, artificial sweeteners are chemicals which may have harmful consequences if consumed in excess.
Instead of going for aerated drinks, you can try healthy options such as a coconut water, lime water, buttermilk or fresh fruit juices. We hope this article helps you make an informed decision and choose the right option the next time you’re tempted to grab a can or a bottle of your favorite soft drink.
It’s time to #LevelUp your health! What do you think will be a good alternative for you instead of a soft drink? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Want to know more interesting facts? Tune in to our experts on GOQii Play! Subscribe now to interact with them during their LIVE sessions.
#BeTheForce
