It has been found that teenagers who drink soda have more mental health conditions according to a new study.  The study published in the American Journal of Public Health surveyed 5,547 10th graders about their soda drinking habits, the results were mind popping. There was a radical increase in mental health indicators such as anxiousness, dizziness, hopelessness, panic, sadness, sleeplessness, tension and unhappiness with themselves.

Have you ever wondered why soda comes with a smile?  It gets you high.  When you consume soda you may see a smile on the outside, but despair on the inside.  The following is a breakdown of how sugar can impact every cell in your body.

10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system.  You don’t immediately vomit from the onslaught due to phosphoric acid.  Phosphoric acid cuts the flavor, allowing you to stomach it.

20 minutes:  Blood sugar levels spike, causing an insulin explosion.  Your liver responds by converting sugar into fat.

40 minutes: Caffeine causes your pupils to dilate, blood pressure to increase and your liver to pour additional sugar into your bloodstream.  The blocking of receptors in your brain prevents drowsiness from occurring.

45 minutes:  The pleasure centers of the brain are stimulated by the accumulation of dopamine. Methamphetamine works the same way.

60 minutes:  Calcium, magnesium and zinc are bound by phosphoric acid in the intestines.  Caffeine is a powerful diuretic and allows the bounded elements to leave the body.

60 minutes:  The party is over, the music stops and you start to crash. You seek your next fix.

The deadly concoction of sugar / artificial sweeteners, caffeine and phosphoric acid may throw one heck of a party, but your body suffers.  The damaging effects have now been linked to the development of obesity, heart disease and stroke. 

Waistline Warfare

An eight year study from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio demonstrated the powerful link between obesity and soda consumption.  Their team looked at the effect of soda on 1,550 Americans aged 25-64.  Nearly one third became overweight or obese.

For regular soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: (1)

•    26% for up to 1/2 can each day
•    30.4% for 1/2 to one can each day
•    32.8% for 1 to 2 cans each day
•    47.2% for more than 2 cans each day.

For diet soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was:

•    36.5% for up to 1/2 can each day
•    37.5% for 1/2 to one can each day
•    54.5% for 1 to 2 cans each day
•    57.1% for more than 2 cans each day.

For each can of diet soft drink consumed each day, a person’s risk of obesity went up 41%.

One of the primary reasons people consume diet soda is the perception that it is healthier for you.  If you look at the statistics, you are more likely to become overweight or obese.  Research now shows that the consumption of diet soda prevents you from losing weight.  Weight and obesity triggers a cascade of additional health issues and concerns, especially heart disease.

Soda Bomb - Exploding Arteries

According to a new study from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, diet soda consumption increases the risk of having a cardiovascular event 61%.  The nine year study of 2,500 people resulted in 559 vascular events.  Why play with fire, eventually you will get burned. 

Recent findings by the American Heart Association linked soda to heart disease in women.  The study stated that women who drink sugary beverages raise their risk, regardless of their current weight.  This is important because most people think that their overall health is only related to their current weight.  If you do not gain weight from the consumption of soda, you have the same risk of developing heart disease. (2)

(1) http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050613/drink-more-diet-soda-gain-more-weight
(2) http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45277790/ns/today-today_health/t/sugary-drinks-hurt-even-skinny-womens-hearts/

Upcoming Events: Free Webinar March 13th 2012 7-8pm EST Hosted by co-authors of Maximized Living Nutrition Plans:

Join Dr. B.J. Hardick and Kimberly Roberto as they discuss some of the hottest nutrition topics. Get answers to the their most frequently asked questions. There is a sea of mis-information out when it comes to nutrition.  Let the experts help you navigate through the noise and get to the action steps it takes to get and stay healthy for a lifetime.  

    Learn:

• Why do I need to buy organic?
  
• Learn how to easily navigate the grocery store to save time and money while shopping for healthy foods your family will love.
• What is the deal with Genetically Modified Foods?
• Why are there so many “diet” plans, and which one is best for me?
• Learn about the top most toxic foods and how to avoid them

Click Here to Register