Soda- The Triple Threat

by Lisa Nelson RD LN

My weakness is caffeine-free Diet Coke.  For me, soda and popcorn go hand-in-hand.  Well, even though I am drinking diet I have to remember I am not sitting pretty.  Soda affects tooth decay, tooth discoloration, and for those that do not choose diet, weight gain.

Tooth Decay

Any drink that is carbonated has a low pH level.  What you ask?  Let me explain.  The process of carbonation adds carbon dioxide and results in the formation of carbonic acid.  This acid lowers the pH of a beverage.  A pH of 1 is acidic and 7 is neutral.  Battery acid has a pH of 1; water has a pH of 7.  The pH of Pepsi is 2.49, Coke is 2.63, and Mountain Dew is 3.22.  The acid in soda can damage tooth enamel in just 20 minutes.  Think about how you usually drink your soda.  Do you drink a 12 oz. can in 5-10 minutes or are you sipping on it over a period of an hour or so?  You can help combat the effects of carbonic acid by drinking your soda in less than 20 minutes and rinsing your mouth with water after the fact.  Saliva also helps neutralize the acid.  Don’t forget to protect your children’s teeth!  Children are even more susceptible to tooth erosion because their tooth enamel is not fully developed. 

Tooth Discoloration

Habitual soda drinkers are adding layers of sugar, which turn to layers of plaque on their teeth.  This plaque then absorbs stains from food products.  This is how dark colored sodas lead to tooth discoloration.  Bye, bye pearly whites!

Weight Gain

A 12 oz. can of regular soda contains about 150 calories.  If you drink one can everyday you consume 4200 soda calories each month and 50,400 calories each year.  This is equal to an extra 14 ½ pounds of body weight.  Most people do not limit themselves to just 12 oz. a day--one 20 oz bottle of regular soda daily would be an additional 26 pounds each year.

So, splurge on your soda once in awhile but switch it up and enjoy some refreshing water to save your teeth and your waistline.

About the Author:

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN offers three core programs to help you make small changes to lose weight, lower cholesterol levels, and control high blood pressure.  Visit http://eNutritionServices.com to select the program that’s right for you.

Lisa also offers free heart health and weight loss tips through The Heart of Health ezine.  Subscribers receive the free ebook “Treadmill or Dust Collector?”  Go to http://eNutritionServices.com/ezine.html to sign-up today!  

She is also a certified provider of Real Living Nutrition Services. To learn more visit Lisa at http://www.RealLivingNutrition.com/LisaNelson.aspx.