You must love drinking soda but it sure does a number on your body. The blast of sugar gives your instant energy but it sure takes a toll on your digestive system.
When you drink soda, your intestines absorb the sugar into your blood which spikes the glucose-blood sugar and increases the energy instantly. In order to manage it, all the organs of your body have to over-work to process that sugar in the blood.
Insulin is released by your pancreas to transport the sugar to your muscles for the release of energy. But, the muscles do not require the high amount of sugar supplied by the Soda. A 20-ounce soda contains carbohydrates which are an entire meal’s worth. As per Meltem Zeytinoglu, MD, MBA, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine, the extra sugar from the Soda does not get consumed by the muscles but instead, it gets converted to fat in the liver.
The risk of dehydration is also increased as the kidneys have to kick into overdrive to remove the excess sugar through the urine. So, your body loses water in addition to the diuretic effect of caffeine found in Soda.
In addition to that, the brain secretes dopamine, a chemical which triggers motivation and can make humans addictive to sugar as per the National Institutes of Health Study.
Cordialis Msora-Kasago, MA, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Los Angeles, CA, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that you don’t have to completely banish the sodas from your life but you have to remember that portion control matters. The soda should not become a regular habit but can be taken occasionally. You should look for other healthy and less sugary options like iced tea, infused water etc.
