Hanan Husam Ismail
Soft drinks are one of the most consumed commercial drinks worldwide. Soft drink consumption is associated with many health conditions. These increased dangers are mainly due to the added components in soft drinks, specifically sugar.
According to an article published by European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry Journal in 2020, soft drinks contributes to detrimental dental health and general health of its consumers.
The study showed that the consumption of soft drinks is one of the most common causes of tooth decay. Even with regular brushing and flossing, sugar and acids in soft drinks break down the outer layer of teeth (enamel) and encourage the growth of bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, teeth sensitivity, as well as eating and drinking difficulties.
Soft drinks not only cause damage to the teeth, but also have negative effects on public health.
The study showed that the increased consumption of soft drinks containing large amounts of sugar is a major factor in the obesity problem. Also, it was found that people who regularly drink soda have a great chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Soft drinks, especially energy drinks, contain high amounts of caffeine. It was showed that the high consumption of caffeine has been associated with serious health issues including anxiety, restlessness, aggression, headaches, and depression.
Most diet soft drinks contain artificial sweeteners, which are a sugar substitute that provide a sweet taste to drinks without adding sugar, and they are zero-calorie. Many previous studies have associated consumption of drinks containing artificial sweeteners with an increased risk of serious diseases such as brain tumors and cancer, but current studies have not been able to prove that. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that these sweeteners are safe at current levels of consumption.
Frequent soft drinks intake is linked to serious health conditions, so it is recommended to stay away from it and try replacing it with a healthier alternative.
