To begin with,did you know that one can or bottle of carbonated drink has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colors and sulfites?
Carbnated drinks include Coco-Cola, Sprite,mojo,kung ful and other known energy drinks.Though not harmful to adults unless if over-consumed,carbonated drinks might be harmful to children as they are one of the leading causes fueling the world-wide obesity epidemic and is certainly not an easy habit to get rid of.
This is why it’s even more important to stop the habit before your child even starts, whenever possible. Children can be particularly susceptible to the dangers of carbonated drinks, so here are reasons why carbonated drinks are a danger to your child.
Addiction
The addictive properties of carbonated drinks come from a number of its ingredients including caffeine. Caffeine is the most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world, says a report from Johns Hopkins. The report goes on to say caffeine produces physical dependence. Children are not immune to this dependence, and some might even say they are more susceptible to caffeine’s effects due to their smaller body weight.
No nutritional value
Although this may seem obvious, one of the dangers of carbonated drinks is that it doesn’t provide much-needed nutrition for our bodies. It does, however, provide empty calories, and can suppress the appetite. Consuming soda may cause children to eat less of the foods they need to fuel their bodies.
They harm children’s brains
A child’s brain is developing throughout adolescence. When a kid drinks soda, they are consuming chemicals that are altering their brain. MSG can be hiding in the citric acid of the drinks, as well as in the artificial flavors. This excitotoxin has been shown to damage the neurons in the brain of mice. In addition, high levels of excitotoxins have been linked to brain tumors, diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, brain damage, learning disorders, and behavioral problems. Aspartame, found in diet soda causes the same effect.
- Sodas weaken the bones
Taking carbonated drinks regularly can actually deplete the bones of much-needed calcium. Phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, leads to bone loss when in disproportionate levels of calcium. Caffeine is also a culprit here, as it is known to interfere with the absorption of calcium and bone density.
Destroy teeth
Sugar isn’t good for teeth, and neither are the acids within soda. Both citric acid and phosphorus can wear away tooth enamel and lead to decay. Combined with the addictive nature of soda, teeth can be frequently exposed to this harmful beverage and be at risk for tooth erosion.
Contribute to childhood diabetes
Because of the high sugar content in carbonated drinks, children can be at high risk of developing diabetes. What’s more frightening is simply drinking soda in moderation may not reduce the risk. As little as one single 12 ounce can of soda a day increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22%.
Can lead to heart disease
When we are talking about children, heart disease rarely comes up in the conversation. However, with the news that just one soda a day can increase the risk of a cardiovascular event by 61%, it’s a conversation worth having. Considering the risk of soda dependence, children who begin drinking soda are more likely to consume it regularly. Over the span of their lifetime, they will consume far more soda than someone who began drinking it in adulthood, increasing the risks and dangers of heart disease.
inhibit digestion
Carbonated drinks and caffeine are diuretics and can lead to dehydration, especially if soda is replacing water. Sugar and caffeine can increase the level of acids in the stomach leading to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Carbonation is also a common IBS trigger, as it results in more gas.
When it comes to children, water is simply the best option if you want to avoid the dangers of carbonated drinks entirely. Fruit juices are certainly a better choice than a soda, but be wary of sugar content. If your child is in need of something more than just these options, there are a number of healthier beverage alternatives.
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