With San Francisco issuing in the country’s first soda tax, the idea that soda is bad for you has saturated public opinion; but contrary to popular belief, drinking soda can be good for you. Soda has a handful of benefits which even some of its critics acknowledge.
First, it can, for instance, improve digestion. A 2013 study published in Ailmentary Pharmacology & Theraputics found that in more than 90% of the cases in which Coca-Cola was used to treat gastric phytobezoar (foreign organisms in individual’s intestinal tracts, made of either animal or vegetable material and forming a hard mass), it was effective.
Another study published by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research found that Coca-Cola could reduce bile in the stomach and help prepare patients for endoscopies.
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"Soda Can Be Healthy For You: A Counterintuitive Argument".
Soda can also help individuals stay hydrated. While some have suggested that carbonated or caffeinated drinks hydrate people less than drinks lacking carbonation or caffeine, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that there was no difference in the level of hydration between individuals who drank plain water and those who drank carbonated, caffeinated caloric and non-caloric colas.
Because Soda often tastes better than plain water, individuals may be more likely to drink it. Half of Americans consume less water than they should and for these, drinking soda may be beneficial. Yet, although soda has health benefits, many believe it is harmful to the drinkers’ health. Critics argue that soda erodes drinkers’ teeth, causes osteoporosis, contributes to obesity, shortens lives, has no nutritive value and that it may lead to stroke, diabetes and heart attacks. According to the Wall Street Journal, for instance, “The proposals[for soda taxes] are backed by public-health groups that blame sweetened drinks and soda, in particular, for rising obesity and diabetes rates.”
Some critics also blame soda for aged appearances. Lenox Hill Hospital dermatologist Dr. Steven Victor told Fox News that added sugar in sodas contributed to aging skin. “I notice wrinkles, skin texture, oil content,” he said. “When you see somebody who is having a lot of sugar, their skin doesn’t look glowing or bright, it looks saggy and dull.” Victor said that ingesting a lot of sugar can have an inflammatory effect on the body. He further said that those who already had skin conditions like acne and eczema could make their conditions worse by ingesting soda.
Critics say that Soda is being recognized with a danger on par with smoking. One New York legislator, for instance, is proposing that manufacturers be required to place warning labels on bottles and cans, with messages like, “”SAFETY WARNING: DRINKING BEVERAGES WITH ADDED SUGAR CONTRIBUTES TO OBESITY, DIABETES AND TOOTH DECAY’ ON THEM.
Yet, while many publications have jumped on the anti-soda bandwagon, others note that the evidence that soda is harmful to the drinkers’ health is scant. Slate’s Daniel Engber writes that many of the studies that suggest a link between soda and poor health are based on a shaky notion that people who drink soda have a different length of telomeres than those who do not and that those who had a different length might die more quickly. Subsequent studies, though, says Engber, have been less than conclusive. “A review from 2010 listed 10 studies of telomere length and early death, of which five found no association whatsoever,” he writes.
Meanwhile, many of the strongest arguments against soda apply to some carbonated beverages, but not others. It is true, for instance, that Dr. Pepper is filled with “empty calories.” It contains 250 calories per serving, plus 100 mg of sodium and 64 g of sugar. On the other hand, Steaz’s sparkling green tea soda has zero calories and contains both 120mg of anti-oxidants and vitamin B12 and 6. Bionade Organic Cola is another healthy soda option. It contains a small amount of protein, uses natural fruit extracts for flavoring, instead of high fructose corn syrup, it is fortified with magnesium and calcium. This is particularly good news for those who are afraid that drinking soda may lead to osteoporosis, as calcium can promote bone health.
Other sodas, such as Hot Lips Pear Soda, are only 122 calories and contain calcium, iron and Vitamin C. Meanwhile, many people have begun making their own sodas, some with help from gizmos like Soda Stream. Using soda stream, individuals can choose what to put into their sodas. Those who want vitamins but few calories might add powdered Vitamin C to their drinks. Meanwhile, those who are worried about the effects of high fructose corn syrup can use alternative sweeteners like fructose or xylitol. Other recipes call for the use of real fruit – like cranberries, elderberries and oranges. Each of these fruits are full of anti-oxidants.
Drinking or making healthy sodas may be a better alternative than trying to convince soda drinkers – especially children – to give up soda altogether. Other alternatives such as energy drinks and fruit juice often contain high levels of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup – the ingredients which seem to cause the most harm to the body. Meanwhile, children often oppose measures designed to make them adopt more healthy diets. In several recent articles, reporters have observed that school children are rejecting the “healthier” school lunches schools have adopted as part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” Campaign. According to Roberto A. Ferdman, for instance, one student recently tweeted, “#thanksmichelleobama thanks to you i’ve just stopped eating. At four dollars I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy pic.twitter.com/hrrtgkii02.” Cutting soda out of a soda drinker’s diet, then, may not be a healthy solution to the problems associated with soda drinking. Finding sodas that taste good, while incorporating healthy ingredients may be a better one.
- Cappon, C. (2014, November 12). What is soda doing to your skin? Retrieved from Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/11/12/what-is-soda-doing-to-your-skin/
- Engber, D. (2014, October 27). Does Drinking Soda Really Age Your Cells? Retrieved from Slate: http://www.slate.com
- Esterl, M. (2014, November 2). Sugar Tax Would Shake Soda Makers. Retrieved from Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/articles/sugar-tax-would-shake-soda-makers-1414968565
- Ferdman, R. A. (2014, November 29). Kids blame Michelle Obama for ‘gross’ school lunches. Retrieved from Standard-Examiner: http://www.standard.net/Education/2014/11/29/lt-div-class-libPageBodyLinebreak-style-webkit-user-select-none-gt-Kids-blame-Michelle-Obama-for-gross-school-lunches-lt-div-gt.html
