For example, consider that over the past fifty years, the consumption of soda has increased nearly 500 percent as kids are now drinking soda younger and younger. This is a staggering amount of soda and highly sweetened soft drinks. What does the future hold healthwise for these children? Well, the outlook looks bleak.
The facts on sodas and children
It is estimated that 56 percent of eight-year-olds drink soda daily. Now, let's consider some other facts: there are an estimated 10-12 teaspoons of sugar (usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup) per twelve ounce can. The average child drinks at least three cans of soda per day. That's 36 teaspoons of sugar a day from beverages alone! This contributes to childhood obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and early onset cardiovascular disease.
Artificial sweeteners: a better choice?
No, not really. Diet soda doesn't have the sugar but has other potentially lethal health effects. Aspartame and sucralose are extremely popular and most parents probably feel that substituting the sugar- sweetened beverages with the artificial sweeteners is a better health bet. (This is due to the astute marketing tactics of diet soda manufacturers, but this couldn't be further from the truth). Diet soda have actually been linked to weight gain. Why? Well, they are very addictive. Studies have shown that diet sodas trigger the pleasure area in the brain, but they don't provide the satisfaction that sugar does. The release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine then occurs, causing the body to want to consume more and more to achieve this "feel good" effect. This leaves a person craving the artificial sweetener. Another important point about artificial sweeteners is that they are metabolized through a completely different pathway in the liver making it hazardous to that vital organ of excretion. Diet sodas are no health bargain. ("U.S. Kids Drowning In Diet Drinks" Dr. Mercola).
Finally, consider this, diet sodas have been linked to stroke, heart attack and diabetes due to the induced cravings and addictions to the sweeteners. And, with children developing such poor patterns of health at increasingly younger ages, this can lay the groundwork for habit formation that can be extremely difficult to break in later life. So, you aren't doing your child a favor by giving him diet sodas.
Finally, consider this, diet sodas have been linked to stroke, heart attack and diabetes due to the induced cravings and addictions to the sweeteners. And, with children developing such poor patterns of health at increasingly younger ages, this can lay the groundwork for habit formation that can be extremely difficult to break in later life. So, you aren't doing your child a favor by giving him diet sodas.
Sources:
"Dr. Mercola, "U.S. Kids Drowning In Diet Drinks"
"Dr. Mercola, "U.S. Kids Drowning In Diet Drinks"
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