Whether it is with our dinner or while watching a movie, we never think twice before chugging down a big glass of cold drink totally unaware of the fact that this fizzy cold beverage is harming our body in so many ways. Today we are going to enlighten you with the reality of cold drinks and will discuss the various toxic ingredients that are used in them.
1. Phosphoric acid- Most of the sodas contain phosphoric acid as the main constituent. It is used to give the soda its distinctive strong flavor and prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in the soda. Though when consumed in a small amount, it does not harm the body but when consumed in large quantities it may interfere with the calcium absorption and calcium deficiency may lead to weak bones. It may also lead to softer teeth and increase the chances of teeth decay.
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2. High fructose corn syrup- It is a concentrated form of sugar extracted from corn. It is a cheaper and easy to use as a substitute for sugar and thus most of the manufacturers use corn syrup in place of sugar. According to a study published in 2004, the consumption of high fructose corn syrup is one of the main cause of obesity. As we all know that obesity itself is the reason for so many underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol level and high blood sugar level thus increasing the chances of strokes and heart attacks and type 2 diabetes.
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3. Citric acid- Citric acid which is added to introduce a little tartness to the normal, as well as the diet sodas, are harmful to your oral health especially. The citric acid is very corrosive in nature and causes irreversible damage to your enamel, discoloration, cause cavities and even tooth decay when consumed on a regular basis. According to a study released in the year 2013 by the academy of general dentistry confirms that the citric acid in the sodas may lead to teeth erosion. The study also mentioned that the people who consumed 2 liters of soda every day for 3-5 years showed the same type of tooth erosion as a cocaine addict. In order to reduce the effect of citric acid, chew a sugar free gum or rinse your mouth after having a normal or diet soda.
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4. Bisphenol-A (BPA)- The soda bottles made of plastic contain a chemical called bisphenol-A which is added to the plastic in order to harden it and to restrict the presence of bacteria. This particular chemical is associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in humans. According to a study, BPA is also a reproductive toxicant that hampers the female reproduction and is also potent to affect the male reproduction as well.
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5. Sodium benzoate- Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in sodas as well as salad dressings, pickles, jams, fruit juices and jelly in order to prevent molding. The sodium benzoate is known to cause cell damage as well as fasten the process of ageing.
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6. Artificial dyes- The caramel dye that gives soda the brown color as well as other artificial dyes and color used in sodas increase the risk of cancer. These can also increase the asthma attacks and can also worsen the symptoms of the same.
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7. Caffeine- Caffeine is found in almost every soda as it adds a little bit of a bitter taste to the soda lifting up the taste of the sugar as well as the sweeteners. Though the amount of caffeine used may vary from brand to brand. Caffeine is found to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as hypertension and diabetes in the older age. It also acts as a fertility inhibitor.
