Consumption of carbonated beverages in Indonesia increases every year. Noncommunicable diseases that corresponds to the consumption of carbonated drinks like obesity and type II diabetes also increased.  Various research shows that the number of mortality and morbidity due to carbonated beverages is fairly high. A research claims that there are correlation between soft drink consumption to obesity and diabetes across the world.

People tends to enjoy carbonated drinks during hot weather condition, especially when hanging out or during a gathering. When they get thirsty under a scorching hot weather, often the first thing that comes to mind is to drink cold refreshing beverages, one of them being carbonated drinks. Yet, it must be understood that behind the refreshing quality offered by these soft drinks, lies terrible risks towards our bodily health, one of them being causing high stomach acid. If one were to see the nutrition facts, carbonated drinks contain very little nutrition, yet they contain excessively high amounts of sugar. Carbonated beverages also contain caffeine and artificial sweetener.

Carbonated beverages are those that contains water with added carbon dioxide. Carbonated water has low pH level (acidic) that stimulates sense of taste, as to increase biting or “crunchy” sensation. This is what might cause someone to want to keep drinking them. Even so, excessive consumption of carbonated drink can cause terrible effects toward one’s health. A few literary sources mentioned that there’s quite a few negative effect towards health, chief among them are:

1.    Increased risk of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

-        Excessive intake of fructose can cause insulin resistance and an increased risk of diabetes mellitus.

-      Studies in various countries shows that an intake of  1 can of soda’s worth of sugar per day (150 Kcal) may increase risk of type 2 DM by 1.1%

-  Strong evidence shows that carbonated beverages that contains sugar contributes toward growth of diabetes. Researchers said that those that drinks one or more glass of sugary soda per day, are twice as likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes compared to those who rarely consumes soda.

2.    Weight gain

-      Research shows that people who consumes sweet drinks consistently deals with weight gain compared to those who don’t

-         Heart converts excessive intake of fructose into visceral fat

3.    Causes addiction

-     The presence of sweeteners within carbonated drinks may cause an addiction in one’s brain akin to those caused by illegal drugs

4.    Lowers bone quality

-    Soda contains a high amount of phosphate, while lacking in calcium and other healthy nutritions. Consuming more phosphate that calcium adversely impacts bone health, because calcium is vital for children and teens, as their bones are still growing.

5.    Causing dental damage

-        Carbonated beverages can damage your teeth because of its high content of sugar, that is, glucose and fructose. As we know, those two types of sugar pose an adverse risk towards dental health, and may cause cavities.

-       Other than cavities, excessive soda consumption can cause damage towards teeth’s enamel layer within your mouth. To reduce that risk, you can brush your teeth after drinking carbonated drinks.

6.    Hinders Brain function.

-     The reason why carbonated beverage can disturb the working of your brain is due to the artificial sweeteners it contains. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame usually contains phenylalanine that may disturb brain functions, occasionally cause seizure, and other genetic phenylketonuria adverse reactions.

Besides negative effects from consuming carbonated drinks, there are positive effects too if consumed moderately. Positives in consuming carbonated drinks includes destroying fat in heart and reducing headache. The caffeine contained in carbonated beverage are capable of stimulating central nervous system, assisting in destroying fat in hear, improving mood, and mitigating headache. It can also tackle digestive issue.

Carbonated water in the primary ingredient in carbonated beverages. Carbonated water was first discovered by Joseph Priestley in the year 1767, and ever since was proven to possess many benefits for digestive system. Carbonated water helps mitigate stomachache, deals with nausea, and reducing constipation. Other benefits include preventing muscle cramps. Carbonated beverages contain natrium, which is an important mineral found in almost every natural food. Natrium helps prevent muscle cramps, aging effect on skin, and preserves bodily electrolyte balance. Other than that, drinking carbonated drink will also relieves thirst.

Of course, plenty of people will take advantage of soda to alleviate thirst, especially when the weather is blazing hot, and you need some manner of intake to be refreshed once more. Even so, we must be wise in consuming carbonated drinks and avoid consuming them excessively and in a high frequency, as everything done in excess are bound to be detrimental to one’s health. In addition, drinking soda is not recommended for those prohibited from doing so or those suffering from chronic ailment. It is best to consult with Nutritionist or Dietician in the nearest health facility in your proximity.

 

Author          : Sukesi, S. Gz, RD

Translator     : Muhammad Faris Hafizhan

Editor           : Rendi

Reference:

Harper A, James A, Flint A, Astrup A. Increased satiety after intake of a chocolate milk drink compared with a carbonated beverage, but no difference in subsequent ad libitum lunch intake. Br J Nutr. 2007;97(3):579.

Asrin T. Pengaruh Konsumsi Soft Drink terhadap Kejadian Obesitas Pada Remaja Putri SMAN 2 Kota Banda Aceh. Idea Nurs J. 2013;4(3)

https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/290971-dinamika-aspek-kesehatan-dan-ekonomi-dal-e9546883

Basu M.D., PhD., McKee, Martin,M.D., D.Sc, Galea, G., M.D. & Stuckler, David,PhD., M.P.H. S. Relationship of Soft Drink Consumption to Global Overweight, Obesity, and Diabetes: A Cross-National Analysis of 75 Countries. Am J Public Health. 2013;103, no.11:2071-2077.