Sugar in Soft Drinks

Desiree loves sugary drinks. She has become so addicted to soft drinks, that she drinks at least six bottles of coke per day. Is Desiree doing the right thing by ingesting so much sugar into her body system every day? We will find out in this article.

What's the Category of Soft Drinks?

Soft drinks exist in different forms and brands and are marketed by different brewery industries across Nigeria. A soft drink belongs to the category of non-alcoholic beverage, which is usually carbonated, containing natural or synthetic sweetening agents, artificial flavours, and colours. Lots of research proves that regular consumption of sugary drinks, including coke, energy drinks, and lemonade increases the risk of obesity, Type2 diabetes, and heart disease. 

Do Sugary Drinks Keep You Hydrated?

Each year, more than 38 million litters of soft drinks are sold in Nigeria. Making Nigeria the 4th highest soft drink consumer in the world. Many Nigerians like Desiree, tend to consume these soft drinks every day, believing that it will boost their energy levels, keep them hydrated, and quench their thirst, but that is not the case. If you think drinking soft drinks every day will keep you hydrated, then you are in for a disappointment. 

The caffeine in many soft drinks has a diuretic effect causing dehydration if you don't drink water. Over time, this can lead to slow metabolic rate, water retention, electrolyte imbalances, and even heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

What Effect does Sugar in Soft Drinks have on your Teeth? 

The natural acids and sugars in soft drinks have all the acidogenic (causing acidity) and cariogenic (causing tooth decay) potentials that can lead to dental caries and enamel erosion.

The Sugar Content in Soft Drinks

It's no news that the Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a tax of 10naira per litter on all non-alcoholic, carbonated, and sugary drinks. This was enforced to prevent and discourage excessive consumption of sugary drinks by Nigerians, which has contributed immensely to the obesity epidemic, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other dreaded diseases in Nigeria.

Many soft drinks sold in Nigeria are significantly high in sugar. One 50cl bottle of coke for example equals 54 grams or 13 tablespoons of sugar. Now, imagine a person consuming six 50cl bottles of coke per day, that's approximately 324 grams or 78 tablespoons of sugar a day. 

Consuming such a large amount of sugar daily can elevate your blood glucose levels, and may increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, depression, obesity, hair loss, heartburn, insomnia, rapid aging, brain tumor, erectile dysfunction, colon, and kidney, liver, and heart disease.

Is Sugar In Soft Drinks Addictive?

Drinking soft drinks like coke is linked to unhealthy eating habits. Research conducted at Bordeaux University indicates that sugar can be as addictive as illicit drugs. This means that a bottle of coke is equivalent to the devastating effect of drugs. 

Drinking one bottle of coke can make you crave more, leading to out-of-control sugar consumption. Coke is also served with some meals that are not healthy in fast food, creating food associations that are hard to break.

THE BOTTOM LINE

"We would never add 13 tablespoons of sugar to our cup of coffee or tea". So why drink it in soft drinks? It's time we wean ourselves from "Diet coke habit" because excessive sugar consumption in soft drinks, can have adverse effects on our health. Drink right!

My Short Bio:

Daniella Obuwan Oshiame is a Lover of "Cats" and all things "Black & Vegan". She is a Naturalist /Vegan-Health Consultant, who enjoys writing Health & Nutrition articles and developing Vegan recipes.

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