Want to lose weight? Lose the soda
Kyle Miskell
Issue date: 3/29/06 Section: News
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However, there is another much more common problem in America today: the over-consumption of soda. Many studies, done by high-ranking universities such as Harvard and Yale, reveal drinking soda, obesity and other health problems are related.
According to CNN.com, soda contains an ingredient called high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener different from those found in most foods. This component increases fats in the blood's triglycerides. Because it is a liquid, these fats also are absorbed into the blood stream faster than those that appear in solid food. This, coupled with the heavy amount of insulin production from the pancreas when soda is drank, can lead to type two diabetes.
CNN.com also stated high amounts of caffeine in soda could create problems in the human body. While drinking soda may make a person feel more awake, this is only temporary. After the caffeine exits the body, the person may often feel more tired and out of energy than he or she did before. In addition to this, the high caffeine and sugar contents in soda cause increased urination. This leads to dehydration and often headaches.
A panel of scientists discussing obesity at a conference of the Obesity Society last year found soda consumption has increased enormously in the past 10 years. This is because of, in part, more numerous and elaborate campaigns put on by soda manufacturers. This includes the large number of high schools and colleges that are being sponsored to put soda vending machines in their halls.
In a survey of 100 random students at Western Illinois University, 41 percent of students acknowledged drinking from 1 to 3 cans of soda per day, 28 percent admitted to drinking 4 to 7 cans and 2 percent of students said they drank 8 or more cans in a 24-hour period. Out of these students, 58 percent said they drink more soda while at college than at home.
Regarding the type of soda consumed, Mountain Dew was the most common, beating out the next highest contender, colas (such as Pepsi or Coke), by almost 20 percent. It should be noted Mountain Dew also contains much more caffeine and sugar than most other sodas.
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