Sodas
Junk for the Body; Junk for the Teeth

Alvin H. Danenberg, DDS • Nutritional Periodontist
July 10, 2017 [printfriendly]

 

 

Sodas: junk for the body; junk for the teethSodas are one of those “foods” that almost everyone consumes – either sugar-loaded or sugar-free. Sugar-laden sodas are the major source of sugar in children and are correlated with increased obesity in our kids. Soda has been linked to increased cellular aging. In addition, some of the chemicals in sodas can be linked to many chronic diseases like type II diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, tooth decay, and gum disease. Soda is junk for the body and junk for the teeth.

 

In 2013, the average American drank about eight 12-ounce cans of soda a week. In 2015, 20 percent of high school students drank soda one or more times per day; 13 percent of students drank two or more; and 7 percent drank three or more. Here is a 2017 fact sheet published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

 

When forward thinkers tried to remove or limit sodas from schools, they were scorned. Years of effort to remove sodas from schools have produced some improvement. However, today’s statistics for schools providing sodas are appalling if you believe that soda is a daily-consumed source of junk for the body and junk for the teeth. The Washington Post summarized today’s predicament.

 

 

Soda Ingredients

Sodas are carbonated drinks, which include colas, non-colas, and sports drinks. If you took the time to read the Ingredients List on the bottle or can of your next soda drink, here is what you might find. Remember, if you are drinking sodas, you are putting artificial stuff into your body every time you drink. Also remember, your body is the only machine you have to navigate you through life. It needs to be maintained in tiptop shape for decades to come.

 

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is approximately 55% fructose and 45% glucose.

 

The liver metabolizes fructose rapidly and makes it into triglycerides. HFCS can increase fat stored in the liver as well as increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, gout, diabetes, and other systemic complications. Clearly, sugars have been implicated as the main cause for tooth decay.

 

Aspartame

If your choice of soda is “sugar free”, then aspartame might be included to make the drink taste sweet. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener in diet sodas. It is about 180 times sweeter than sugar, but with no calories. Once ingested, aspartame can break down into some dangerous chemicals in the body including methanol, which can produce formaldehyde and formic acid. These chemicals could be toxic to the body if they were consumed in large quantities and if they were not further metabolized or eliminated naturally.

 

Sucralose

Sucralose is another artificial sweetener that could make sugar-free drinks taste sweet. There is research that suggests consuming sucralose could harm beneficial bacteria in the gut.  

 

Caffeine

Caffeine, a stimulant, is one of the major ingredients in sodas. It is not an artificial ingredient, but could pose some problems for some people. Those who consume caffeine in the afternoon could have difficulty with sleep or could feel jittery from the compounded effects of caffeine throughout the day.

 

Caramel Color

Caramel coloring has been added to many sodas. It is an artificial ingredient that may have carcinogenic effects.

 

Phosphoric Acid and Citric Acid

Phosphoric acid and citric acid can be corrosive acids. One or the other is added to most soft drinks. Research has correlated osteoporosis to the consumption of phosphoric acid in soda. In an animal study, cola drinks with phosphoric acid were associated with a decrease in jawbone healing. Also, some research has suggested that phosphoric acid could affect chronic kidney disease.

 

In addition, phosphoric acid as well as citric acid will increase acidity in the mouth to a level that can demineralize the hard surfaces of the teeth.

 

 

Summary

Soda is not a healthy drink. Water (preferably filtered, non-fluoride water) is the healthy drink to quench thirst. If you desire “flavoring”, squeeze a little fresh lemon or lime into the glass of water.

 

 

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My Favorite Paleo Recipes:
Burger, Fries, and a Soda

evolution rBefore I got educated about primal nutrition and lifestyle, my go-to quick meal was usually a burger, fries, and a soda – a junk-food meal with little to no nutrition. Here’s a healthier Paleo idea with no junk, lots of nutrients, and satisfying tastes and crunches.
 
In place of the burger, mix up some grass-fed/grass-finished ground beef with some salt, pepper, garlic, and any other spices you want. Form them into patties, and grill them or cook them on the stovetop like any hamburger. Wrap them with Romaine lettuce leaves, add a sauce like mustard or organic tomato paste or my Paleo Mayo and voila – your healthy Paleo burger.
 
In place of the soda, have a yummy, healthy, fermented Kombucha – a fermented ice tea that is loaded with fizz, flavor, and gut healthy probiotics and antioxidants. My favorite brand is GT’s Organic Raw Kombucha.
 
And to top it off, here are healthy, crunchy, salty fries – sweet potato fries. They are easy to make and satisfying.
 
There you have it: the go-to-junk-food meal in a Paleo healthy form.
 
SWEET POTATO FRIES
 
Ingredients:
 
2-3 small sweet potatoes with skins
4 tablespoons melted coconut oil
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Preparation:
 
• Preheat oven to 400° F. Slice the sweet potatoes into thin French fry strips (cut into quarters and then into thin slices – a julienne slicer would make is easier).
Sweet Potatoes 1
 
• Place them in a large mixing bowl, and add oil to drench them.
 
• Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh black pepper.
 
• Toss until they are well coated.
 
• Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they’re not overlapping or touching.
 
• Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Check continuously.
 
• You may need to bake another 5 to 10 minutes until tender, crisp, and golden; avoid burning.
Sweet Potatoes 2