The Effects of Soft Drinks on the Body

According to Harvard School of Public Health, “two out of three adults and one out of three children in the United States are overweight or obese.” Obviously a balanced diet and exercise are key components to a healthy lifestyle, but cutting soft drinks out of your life could improve your health tremendously.

The growing rate of soda intake is linked to obesity in the United States. Again, according to Harvard School of Public Health, “beverage companies in the United States spent roughly $3.2 billion marketing carbonated beverages in 2006, with nearly a half a billion of that marketing aimed directly at youth ages 2-17.” This number has risen in recent years, and if this does not concern you, then stop reading now. If you are concerned about your health, as well as the health of other Americans, here are some tips.

Nutritionist Catherine G. Arnold said, “Soft drinks are really not a good beverage choice. The main ingredient is sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (a combination of dextrose and fructose that has been linked to increasing obesity rates in the US).”

In today’s society, it is easier for kids to choose soft drinks over the healthy choice of milk or water. Choosing soft drinks can have major effects on them later in life, such as a deficiency in calcium and Vitamin D. If you don’t like milk, water is always the ultimate way to go. “It is one of our body’s most essential nutrients due to the fact that it plays such a critical role in most of our body functions,” said Arnold.

Soft drinks, along with diet sodas, do not hydrate our bodies in positive ways that water can. Although soft drinks can serve as a temptation for most people, incorporating water or milk slowly into the diet can change a person’s habits over time.

Focusing on the Sacred Heart community, a survey was conducted throughout the student body. Twenty-one percent of the girls we surveyed consume a soft drink once a day, and 61% of the girls we surveyed consume at least one soda a week. If the fountain soda machine was taken out of the cafeteria and the vending machines were turned off during school hours, there could be a decrease in the consumption of soft drinks at Sacred Heart. Although we cannot control what students do outside of school, taking small steps is what needs to be done to accomplish a bigger goal.

Sacred Heart teacher Jaclyn Puntillo used to drink Diet Coke every day, but recently she decided to break her habit. She said she “drank 3 to 4 cans of Diet Coke a day” and then decided to quit one day and has not had a Diet Coke since. Puntillo said, “I drink a lot more water, which has led to clearer skin.” She also drinks fresh juices, along with unsweetened ice tea when she is in need of caffeine.

Although a major lifestyle change, such has cutting soda out of your diet, can be difficult, cutting out this habit can be extremely beneficial to your overall health in the long run.