Composition in a can - Most cola drinks lately have dropped the ever so flavored Kola Nut that not only was the reason why we call it cola but also it was the original flavor of the soft drinks. Now however better sophisticated flavoring agents like vanilla, cinnamon, lime, tamarind are used to differentiate between each brand of drink. The most dreaded ingredients in the drink of course are caffeine, phosphoric acid, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame/ sucralose (if diet soda), salts, citric acid, carbon dioxide (fizz).
Physiological effects - Most commonly heard, talked and written about is the one with removal of rust. Agreed that the human body physiology doesn't have any such rust problems but the key point of discussion is if what you drink can remove rust what could it do to your tender tissues inside? Steel rust removal, tooth dissolver and lavatory cleaners all are recent attributes given to Cola drinks especially coca cola. Is it really that bad? Yes, it is. How? Phosphoric acid present in the cola drinks is the prime suspect and guilty. Phosphoric acid does have a calcium depleting effect on the bones. Many a studies have been showing that the lowered bone mineral density has a lot to do with phosphoric acid as higher the phosphorus levels in the blood than calcium the bones will have to remove their calcium stored to the blood for balancing the act. Addiction to soft drinks and especially cola drinks has shown a directly proportionate relation to Osteoporosis. Caffeine content makes it possible to get addicted in the first place having anywhere from 30 -60 mg per serving (350ml) add to that the excess sugar content to worsen matters. Caffeine makes it possible to become more dependent on the drink and gives the same effects as regular coffee addicts face with heart, nervous problems and concentration. The sugar content obviously adds on to the obesity issues but even the artificial sweeteners like aspartame don't work well with the body as their metabolism down to the methyl group they come from harms the brain in the long run. Caffeine known for its diuretic qualities as much as ergogenic ones plays a vital role when the levels go down with anxiety, nervousness, a constant need to replenish more and ending up doing an overdose of cola. The acidic nature of he drink adds to the woes of the drinker for its constant lowered pH levels into the blood stream as much as the intestine and the tissues and also it is this acidic nature of colas that makes for a great cleaner of the utilities such as rusted steel, or a lavatory. The cumulutive effect could harm not only the bones but also the heart, gastrointestinal functioning, nervous system and metabolism in general affecting the hormonal function.
Food Interactions - Caffeine interferes with calcium absorption and thus mineralization of the bone leaving the bone porous aiding osteoporosis. Excess sugar also causes a lot of fat deposition in the body creating insulin resistance and therefore not allowing the body to metabolize glucose for energy generation. Many such antioxidants and minerals do not get their bio availability while combined with cola drinks. These are essential nutrients for the body as they fight and protect it from free radical attack. Phosphoric acid as mentioned above hampers the calcium as well. The flavoring artificial agents cause toxicity in the body and deplete it from the valued added nutrients it needs for regulation, immunity and repair. Even Diet Soda do no good by just a sugar content minus as the aspartame present in Diet Soda causes metabolic harm to the body as well. Sucralose is a better sweetener to aspartame but any addiction and overdose is bad no matter how good the substance.
Cola drinks are a definite no no for more than occasional especially on a regular weekly/ daily consumption. For more insights on your diet and fitness regime visit Wellness & I Programs or submit your information for a free wellness consult.
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