When summer comes, everyone rejoices at this great time of year. This is not surprising, because the duration of winter in our country is about six months, and during this time you have time to miss the gentle rays of the sun. However, the producers of sweet carbonated drinks are happier about this than we are. It is quite obvious that their products are most successful in the summer. People are so used to them that they don’t even want to think about the possible harm to the body. Today you will learn the dangers of carbonated drinks and their components for human health.
What do carbonated drinks contain?
To understand why carbonated drinks and their components are dangerous for human health, just look at their composition. Of course, it can change, but some components are almost always used by manufacturers:
- Sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Various chemical flavors.
- Food acids.
- Caffeine.
- Carbon dioxide.
- Water.
Perhaps the safest ingredient here is water. However, combinations of other ingredients activate the pleasure centers in the brain. As a result, carbonated drinks can be addictive. Knowing the composition, we can talk about the dangers of carbonated drinks and their components for human health.
Sugar and its synthetic substitutes
On average, one hundred milliliters of drink contains about 50 calories. This figure is similar to a cup of tea with five teaspoons of sugar. It should be noted that carbonated drinks are consumed in liters in hot weather. As a result, we ourselves, without knowing it, supply the body with a large amount of simple carbohydrates, which can cause the development of various diseases.
According to scientific research, approximately a quarter of people who actively consume fast-digesting simple carbohydrates have increased concentrations of triglycerides. This suggests that they are at risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Now many manufacturers have stopped using sugar, replacing it with artificial sweeteners. This allows you to sharply reduce the energy value of the product, which continues to remain dangerous. Here is a list of commonly used sweeteners and their negative properties:
- Sorbitol with xylitol can cause the development of urolithiasis.
- Cyclamate and saccharin are strong toxins that can cause the growth of malignant tumors.
- Aspartame with index E951 can cause allergic reactions in some people and also reduce visual acuity.
Food acids
Most often, carbonated drinks contain phosphoric and citric acids. They act as preservatives and add flavor to the product. Let's look at the effects of these substances on the body. Citric acid has a negative effect on tooth enamel. Of course, it will not cause the development of caries, but it can cause other dental diseases.
But phosphoric acid poses a much greater danger, since it can interact with calcium ions, and primarily with those contained in saliva. Scientists have proven that phosphoric acid accelerates the process of removing calcium from the body, which can cause the development of osteoporosis. Let us remember that this disease is characterized by increased fragility of bones even under minor loads.
Benzene
It is the most popular preservative used in the food industry. Immediately after its creation, it was actively used in perfumery, as it has a pleasant smell. Now we can say with confidence that this substance is a powerful carcinogen. You may also find an ingredient called “C-ascorbic acid” in your favorite carbonated drink. However, in combination with benzene, a new compound appears that poses a serious danger to the body.
Caffeine
Many people enjoy the black, aromatic drink that contains caffeine. Very often it is used in the production of carbonated drinks, which makes them tonic. By drinking cola, for example, you may experience an increase in performance, but for a short period of time. After this comes a period of fatigue and increased irritability. A new dose of caffeine eliminates these effects, and this is how manufacturers get regular customers.
Carbon dioxide
No carbonated drink is complete without carbon dioxide. It is precisely because of this substance that these drinks are called carbonated. Carbon dioxide is not a toxin, but can negatively affect the digestive system. Frequent consumption of soda significantly increases the risk of developing gastritis and ulcers. If you already have problems with the digestive tract, then do not even drink sparkling mineral water.
Application in cosmetology
The use of carbonated mineral water for cosmetic purposes is quite popular. Women all over the world use it for washing. The application lies in the fact that its acidity index is similar to the acidity index of human skin and is pH 5.5, while in ordinary tap water its value is 7.5, that is, after the skin dries. So, baking soda is more suitable for washing.
In addition, the soda it contains removes excess fat, and minerals have a beneficial effect on the overall condition and health of the skin. Thanks to its vasodilating properties, it can improve complexion and blood circulation. This water can “wake up” in the morning and stimulate metabolic processes.
Mineral water is especially good as a cleanser for those with sensitive skin . For owners of dry and normal skin, medium and slightly mineralized water, which contains salts up to 500 mg per liter, is well suited. Those with oily skin will benefit from water that is richer in salts, which helps tighten pores and reduce shine. The same water is recommended for those girls who have combination skin type.
- Leaving your water bottle open for 30 minutes before washing will allow the excess gas to escape and be gentler on your skin.
- Experts recommend not to wash immediately with mineral water, but deign to prevent microorganisms and bacteria from multiplying.
Why are carbonated drinks and their components dangerous for human health?
Sweet soda produces a large number of negative effects on the body. Let us note the most common among them:
- Gaining excess weight.
- Type 2 diabetes may develop.
- Urolithiasis and cholelithiasis.
- Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestinal tract, which is the first step towards gastritis and then ulcers.
- Osteoporosis.
- Fatty liver.
- Hypocemia.
- Decreased mineralization and bone density.
If you cannot completely stop drinking sugary carbonated drinks, then try to at least minimize their danger. To solve this problem you have to follow several rules:
- Do not drink soda daily, and a single dose should not exceed 0.5 liters. Turn the drink into an analogue of champagne and drink it during the holidays.
- To avoid early symptoms of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, drink drinks that come in glass containers. If soda is stored in aluminum cans, the active ingredients may react with the coating, which is extremely dangerous for the body.
- If you are concerned about blood sugar levels, use sodas that contain sweeteners. However, it is better not to use them at all.
- To reduce the negative impact of drinks on tooth enamel, use straws, and after drinking a drink, rinse your mouth with clean water.
- To stop drinking sugary sodas, replace them with a cup of tea or coffee as often as possible. Gradually, the body will wean itself off these harmful carbonated drinks.
Carbonated water for weight loss: harm or benefit
The benefit of soda is the feeling of fullness after drinking it. Since it does not contain fats, proteins and carbohydrates, there is also no energy or nutritional value. Nutritionists recommend including the product in your diet. Moreover, one of the principles of losing weight is sufficient fluid intake.
Harm can occur with excessive consumption and is manifested by flatulence and bloating. Sweet soda contains a significant amount of sugar and cannot be used for weight loss.
Storage Features
The health benefits and harms do not really depend on the conditions in which carbonated water is stored. In a closed bottle, the shelf life of soda is six months after the date of its manufacture. It is recommended to store an open bottle for no longer than three days.
If you haven’t had time to drink the contents of the bottle in 3 days, then of course you can drink it. It’s just that then the taste of the liquid itself changes.
Speaking of sweet soda that has been left open for more than 3 days, it has a milder taste and there are no bubbles in it. But when consumed, it does not become less harmful.
Carbonated water is produced in tin, plastic or glass containers. There are no special storage requirements. The only thing that is recommended is to keep the liquid along with the container in the refrigerator for some time immediately before drinking to increase the refreshing properties of the drink.
Who shouldn't drink soda?
Although the harm from carbonated drinks can affect everyone, there are people who should not drink carbonated water at all.
You can’t drink lemonades with soda:
- children under 3-4 years old;
- during pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- with a tendency to be overweight, naturally overweight and, of course, obesity;
- in the presence of diabetes mellitus of any type and in prediabetic health conditions;
- for peptic ulcers and gastritis;
- for tumors or ulcers in the intestines and stomach;
- with a tendency to digestive disorders;
- with liver diseases;
- with disturbances in hormonal balance;
- with renal failure and other kidney pathologies;
- with the deposition of salts in the body, with stones;
- for gallbladder diseases;
- in case of frequent gingivitis, stomatitis and other “dental” diseases.
Also, contraindications can be considered a bad reaction of the body to drinking lemonade, that is:
- Flatulence.
- Seething.
- Resi.
- Bloating.
- Darkening of urine.
- Heartburn.
- Belching.
In general, the effect of carbonated drinks on the human body is like a minefield - you can walk through and not notice, or you can get blown up. In this case, everything depends on hereditary predisposition, the general condition of the body and health, and, of course, on the amount of carbonated lemonade drunk.
Contraindications for use
Before purchasing mineral water, it is important to consider your health status and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Mineral water is contraindicated in a number of cases:
Diseases of the digestive tract with difficulty in the free passage of food.- Acute infectious diseases.
- Malignant tumors.
- Decompensated cardiovascular failure.
- Acute cerebrovascular accident.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines, accompanied by vomiting, severe pain, bleeding.
Improper use of mineral water can lead not only to undesirable, but also to serious consequences. To avoid such consequences, drink carbonated mineral water with caution.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman needs an increased set of microelements and nutrients. Often they cannot be replenished from food.
Useful substances are used to build the child’s body. At the same time, the expectant mother experiences a deficiency in vitamins. Dry skin appears, hair and nails become brittle.
Mineral water has a number of advantages:
- Improving the functioning of the digestive and respiratory systems.
- Supplying the body with useful minerals and salts.
- Increased enzyme production.
Artificially carbonated mineral water, which increases gas formation, is excluded. When choosing quality water, it is advisable to limit its consumption to 1-2 glasses per day.
Among the negative factors of mineral water with gas during pregnancy are:
- The appearance of heartburn.
- The formation of flatulence and additional stress on the gastrointestinal tract.
- General swelling.
This is especially important during the first trimester, which is characterized by symptoms of toxicosis and fatigue.
