The news that fizzy drinks (coke, etc) are bad for us doesn’t come as a shock. However, as with most of our other guilty pleasures, the bad news does nothing to stop us from reaching for a fizzy drink. But as a new study reveals, drinking just one sugar-laden fizzy drink a day increases the risk of infertility in both male and female. The health risks associated with drinking soda are once again in the spotlight.

There is no doubt in the minds of experts that the biggest danger from many of the popular fizzy drinks (also called “soda” in North America and soft drinks in Nigeria) doesn’t come from the hidden additives, flavourings or colourings but from SUGAR. Sugar has been dominating the headlines recently, with claims supported by years of research that it is highly toxic to the body.

Research suggests that sugar could be one of the leading causes of illnesses, diseases and death, globally, and it is being seriously considered that it should be regulated in the same way as alcohol and tobacco.

Here are 10 reasons why fizzy drinks are indeed bad for you…

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
The effects of fizzy drinks go beyond just our waistlines, affecting both mental health and cognitive functions. “The over-consumption of sugar has been linked to depression, poor memory formation and learning disorders in studies. Scientists have now also identified a possible increased risk of dementia.

YOUR TEETH
It’s no big secret that the high-sugar content of some of our favourite soft drinks can seriously impact our teeth. However, once you hear the details about how damaging they really can be, you’ll never want to touch them again. Dental erosion causes the enamel (which acts as a protective layer to your tooth) to wear away, and will lead to pain and sensitivity.

Each regular can of soda contains eight teaspoons of sugar which can increase our risks of tooth and gum disease. A study in the journal General Dentistry, found that cola is 10 times as corrosive as fruit juice in the first three minutes of drinking. The researchers took slices of freshly extracted teeth and immersed them in 20 soft drinks. Teeth dunked for 48 hours in cola and lemonade lost more than 5% of their weight.” Talk about extreme weight loss. “Another study found that drinking four cans of fizzy drink a day increased the risk of tooth erosion by 252%”.

Don’t be suckered in by their diet counterparts either – they’re just as evil, but just sneakier – which makes them even worse. Although Diet drinks don’t contain sugar but still they have chemicals that can rot the teeth. One of the chief culprits for dental disease in these drinks is citric acid, which gives tangy drinks their kick. Citric acid can makes the drink nearly as corrosive as battery acid when it comes to the teeth.” Yes you heard that correctly, BATTERY ACID.

THE SKIN
Fact: fizzy drinks will make you looker older faster*. “They cause premature ageing as the sugar damages our skin cells and collagen bonds.

OUR HEARTS
When it comes to matters of the heart, the consequences of fizzy drinks are worse than what any break up could do. Mostly due to, yes you’ve guessed it, their sugar content. Sugar causes a build-up of bad fats that block our arteries which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

OBESITY AND TYPE 2 DIABETES
Fizzy drinks and obesity are lifelong buds and it’s one friendship that needs to come to a swift end, fast. “Too much sugar can lead to a build-up of fat around our bellies increasing our risk of getting type 2 diabetes. A French study, published in 2013, indicated that the risk of type 2 diabetes may even be higher for those that regularly consume diet soft drinks than people that consume sugary versions. There has been a lot of debate about the safety of sweeteners with some health campaigners taking the view that they can lead to problems ranging from depression to digestive disorders and the aforementioned type 2 diabetes.

YOUR LIVERS
“Excess sugar can increase a build-up of fat around our livers, leading to fatty liver disease and resulting in liver failure,” warns Dr Sturnham.

YOUR KIDNEYS
“Sugar can be damaging to your kidneys, resulting in high blood pressure and reduced kidney function,” explains Dr Sturnham. Not only can this impact on our body’s ability to rid itself of toxins, but also on its production of important hormones.

YOUR BONES
“Several studies have shown that females who regularly drink carbonated drinks are three times more likely to have thinning of their bones (osteopenia),” says Dr Sturnham. “One theory is that phosphoric acid used as a preservative in some fizzy drinks reduces the absorption of calcium into the bones. Other specialists say that you would have to drink very large quantities of fizzy drinks to see this effect but do agree that it would be better to swap fizzy drinks for healthier options such as low fat milk, water, herbal teas and low sugar fruit juice.”

GROWING ADDICTION
Coca-Cola addict? You’re not alone. And there’s evidence to show that it isn’t entirely your fault. “The cane and beet sugar used in cola and other fizzy drinks is used up quickly by the body, which soon experiences a rapid drop in energy, leading to cravings for more sugar. The sugar rush also stimulates the pleasure receptors in our brains to release a chemical called dopamine which makes us feel good. We then crave more of this ‘feel good’ feeling and often turn to more of the same and this can become an addictive pattern of behaviour, particularly in children.

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