Counselor Notes 29 December 1, 2014 Soda In Counselor Notes 27, I addressed the issue of children seeing far too much violence on t.v. or in the movies and video games. In Counselor Notes 28, I tried to focus some attention on the role models we are holding up for our boys (i.e. superheroes). For this issue, I want to “switch gears” a bit to take a look at soda. The survey of third grade students revealed 41% had soda with their dinner the previous evening. As the health of our children is of importance to all Americans, I would encourage parents to limit soda to a treat on special occasions. The links provided below make a case for doing just that. Soda and disease: · http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/soft-drinks-and-disease/ · http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/10/10-diseases-linked-to-soda.aspx Soda causes cells to age as fast as smoking does: · http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/21/health/sugar-soda-age-faster/index.html?iref=allsearch You may want to cut soda out of your child’s diet if you have concerns about their weight: · http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sugary-drinks-fact-sheet/ · http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/21/obesity-soda-sugary-drinks_n_1904732.html
What is in soda may be of concern: Sodas typically contain carbonated water and high fructose corn syrup (among other things). Let’s see what those do: Carbonated water- avoid it if you are at risk (or have) irritable bowel syndrome, otherwise it is seems to be okay. http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/expert.q.a/05/06/carbonated.water.jampolis/ High fructose corn syrup – not everyone thinks it is safe:
Food dyes – the color of some sodas is obtained by using food dyes. At least some of these dyes MAY be linked to attention problems in some children. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/possible-link-between-food-dyes-and-adhd/2014/07/14/b17d2be4-01fc-11e4-b8ff-89afd3fad6bd_story.html Caramel color (in colas; it’s name is really 4-methylimidazole, caramel coloring is just a name the government allows them to use) - http://www.cbsnews.com/news/caramel-coloring-chemical-linked-to-cancer-found-in-too-high-levels-in-some-colas/ Phosphoric acid (in colas) MIGHT: · Raise the risk of kidney stones - http://www.livestrong.com/article/468217-why-is-phosphoric-acid-bad-for-you/ (Meat and dairy might be a larger source of phosphoric acid for most Americans: http://blog.fooducate.com/2009/06/30/11-quick-facts-about-phosphoric-acid-yes-that-chemical-in-coca-cola/ ) · Deplete calcium levels in the body setting the stage for osteoporosis and weak bones http://www.livestrong.com/article/484669-does-phosphoric-acid-deplete-your-calcium/ (Please note: calcium deficiencies may be a big factor in depression http://www.livestrong.com/article/91388-calcium-depression/ ) · Deplete the body’s level of magnesium http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/4-reasons-to-avoid-all-soda-even-diet/ (Please note: This article in Psychology Today calls magnesium “The Original Chill Pill“ http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201106/magnesium-and-the-brain-the-original-chill-pill )
Those giving their children diet soda (or drinking it them self) may be doing something even worse: People drinking diet soda ought to read these articles: · http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/diet-soda-bad-you · http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/10/29/10-reasons-to-give-up-diet-soda/ Does diet soda cause weight GAIN? · http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/diet-soda-health-risks_n_3581842.html · http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050613/drink-more-diet-soda-gain-more-weight Is diet soda just as bad for your teeth as meth or crack cocaine? http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/29/diet-soda-just-as-harmful-to-teeth-as-meth-and-crack-cocaine-study-claims/ Why is diet soda considered one of the 5 foods women should avoid? http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/09/12/5-foods-women-should-avoid/ Does the artificial sweetener used for diet soda “set the stage” for diabetes: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2014/09/18/new-study-raises-questions-about-artificial-sweeteners-and-potential-link-to/ Is aspartame (the sweetener in diet soda) really this bad? http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/16/aspartame-diet-soda.aspx
If there is some truth to some of these links then in the best interests of the long term health of our children, let’s use soda only as a treat on special occasions and not a regular drink with meals. Doug Muha
Ed.S. P.S. If you like Coca-Cola (I do!), you probably better not check out this site (or if you do read it, then hope that it is inaccurate): http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2013/09/what-happens-to-our-body-after-drinking-coca-cola.html This article has some interesting facts & trivia about Coca-Cola: http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-coca-cola-2011-6?op=1 |