Sodas are the most enjoyed drink, not matter what part of the world you are in.  But, Americans drink more than any other country.  The average American consumes about 57 gallons of soda each year!
Do you have a drinking problem?  Of soda, that is; do you drink sodas, diet or regular?  If so, here’s some of the scoop on whether to break the habit or continue to enjoy every swallow.

Here’s what is in your drink and what it does to the body:

Phosphoric Acid:  Interferes with the body’s ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones.  It also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients.
Sugar:  Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the USA.  Sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and many more side effects.
Aspartame:  This is usually used as a sugar substitute in diet sodas. There are numerous side effects associated with aspartame including brain tumors, birth defects,  emotional disorders, and seizures, just to name a few.  If aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas (like a car) it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known  carcinogens (cancer).
Caffeine:  Caffeinated drinks can cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, and has been associated with some forms of cancer.
When drinking sodas, it is important to take some extra calcium, such as a container of yogurt or a ½ cup of milk to help replace the calcium that sodas deplete from the body.

If soda is consumed only occasionally, the side effects are minimal.