006 - Soda

Post date: Nov 10, 2015 2:39:45 PM

Counselor Notes 6

March 30, 2012

Soda

Many people heard the news story about Coke and Pepsi changing their coloring to avoid having to put a warning label on their product. (See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/mar/09/coke-pepsi-recipe-change-avoid-cancer-warning ) While that may be a good thing, parents should still take a close look at soda before allowing their children to use it for more than an occasional treat. (It does seem that as a nation we are using it for more than an occasional treat.) We may even want to reconsider our own soda consumption. Here are some things to think about as you steer your child's (children's) and your own drink choices:

“In the 1950's, children drank 3 cups of milk for every 1 cup of sugary drinks. Today that ratio is reversed: 3 cups of sugary drinks for every cup of milk.” http://www.prevention.com/health/diabetes/drinking-soda-4-reasons-stop-soda-consumption?page=4

Colas Contain Phosphoric Acid

Colas contain phosphoric acid which lowers the body levels of calcium, zinc and magnesium. - http://www.blisstree.com/healthbolt/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-drink-a-coke-right-now/

Calcium:

    • “Calcium is a second messenger in neuronal membranes, which means it acts like a traffic signal for uptake and release of neurotransmitters.” (The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution by Marcia Zimmerman, p. 148)

    • “…calcium regulates the speed, intensity, and clarity of every message that passes between brain cells.” (The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution by Marcia Zimmerman, p. 148)

    • Calcium deficiency is associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. http://www.livestrong.com/article/91388-calcium-depression/

    • Increasing calcium intake may help with PMS. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122937831273108391.html

Zinc:

    • “On the basis of the evidence that vesicular zinc may be essential to the functions of the amygdala....” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11988235 The amygdala “is involved in the processing of emotions such as fear, anger and pleasure. The amygdala is also responsible for determining what memories are stored and where the memories are stored in the brain. It is thought that this determination is based on how huge an emotional response an event invokes http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/p/Amygdala.htm

Magnesium:

Sodas Contribute To Our Weight Issues

Sodas May Negatively Impact Heart Health

Most Sodas Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

Soda Is Bad For Your Teeth

Sodas Promote Diabetes

Sweeteners in Diet Soda MAY Be Unhealthy

    • At least one web site is reporting that when aspartame (a sweetener in many diet sodas) gets above 85 degrees F, that it changes into neurotoxic substances. This line of thinking questions whether aspartame plays a role in Gulf War Syndrome (the sodas got too hot out in the desert) See: http://aspartame.tripod.com/gulfwar.htm Other sites have it connected to some cases of breast cancer. http://www.naturalnews.com/021920.html

Those who really find it hard to give up their soda may want to consider whether or not they have an addiction. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/help-soda-lovers

Green Tea Is A Better Alternative

I love a good cola as much as the next person. (Probably more!) I am going to work hard to make it an occasional treat rather than a regular habit though.

Doug Muha Ed.S.

School Counselor

Waverly Elementary School