Drinking Away Your Immune System

I taught a nutrition class a couple weeks ago and the topic of soda came up. To get one thing straight, I think the best thing to do when it comes to soda is not drink it at all, ever. I will explain why below. But further, I understand some people like to have a sweet drink on a special occasion. So I will also talk about a different option that has pure ingredients and is much better for you than regular (or diet) soda.

Why soda is harmful to our bodies:
First of all, drinking soda has been proven to suppress your immune system. So much so, that after just one can, your immune system is impaired for 5 hours after because of the high levels or sugar that impair your white blood cell function. That being said, if you are drinking soda frequently, your body is losing it's ability to fight away disease and illness more and more each time you drink some. Also, soft drink consumption has been proven to be a huge factor in causing osteoporosis. This is because soft drinks have long been suspected of leading to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content of soft drinks like Coca - Cola and Pepsi is very high, and they contain virtually no calcium. Furthermore, the relationship between soft drink consumption and body weight is so strong that researchers calculate that for each additional soda consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times.
These are only a few of the problems, but to sum it up, in the words of MD Barnet Meltzer:

"But soft drinks are far from soft. High in phosphorous and phosphoric acid, they infiltrate bodily fluids and corrode stomach linings, upset the alkaline-acid balance of the kidneys, and eat away at your liver. Soft drinks also contain hidden caffeine, refined sugar, and artificial chemicals."

So, again, I would ask that you really try to take soda out of your life. It will benefit you tremendously! But, if you need a sweet drink, try Gus Grown-Up Soda. It is 100% natural, with no preservatives or caffeine and not as sweet as regular soda since it is sweetened with natural cane sugar. You can find it at most health food stores. So give it a try!