Champion Nutrition

Refreshments – Beverage of Champions?

One of the most heavily promoted and "coolest" products around are soft drinks. Millions are spent on superstars advertising coke, Pepsi, etc.. Know are not healthy but how damaging is innocent – and many would say satisfying – can of Coca Cola for our health?

In the next article, I outline:
1. The current epidemic of soft drinks
2. Ingredients
3. The physical cost of the ingredients of soft drinks

1. The current epidemic of soft drinks
In the United Kingdom in 2004 nearly 14 million gallons of soft drinks consumed. In 2004, total sales of soft drinks is an increase of 47% in the last decade. (1)

In Australia, consumption of soft drinks increased by more than 30% in 10 years from 1999. 50% of 16-18 years consumed soft drinks daily. (2)

These popular beverages account for more than a quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States. More than 56.9 billion liters were sold in 2000 – this amounts to at least one can per day for every man, woman and child. Soft drink consumption among children and adolescents has increased by 41% between 1989-1991 and 1994-1995, especially the movement of milk and juice, the main sources of vitamins and minerals in the American diet. (3)

2. Ingredients
A can of soda has approximately:
• 10 to 13 teaspoons of sugar
• 30 to 55 mg of caffeine
• And also is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites

3. physical costs from soft drink ingredients
• Sugar: Manufacturers soft drinks are the largest consumer of sugar in the United States. It is a fact that the blood sugar increases insulin, which can lead to hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, premature aging and many other negative side effects associated problems, including diseases teeth.

• Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks cause many nervous system reactions, including nervousness and insomnia. Top of caffeine is associated with hypertension, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion that potentially leads to disease.

• Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute diet soft drinks. There are more than 92 different side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and seizures. Further, when aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in the regions becomes hot methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens. Please see February and March editions of peak performance to learn more about this deadly product.

• Phosphoric Acid: May interfere with the ability the body use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or weakening of the teeth and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the acid chloride in the stomach, that can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients. (4)

• Benzene: Recent random testing of soft drinks government five of them were found contaminated with benzene levels (which is a chemical carcinogen linked to leukemia) that exceeded federal standards set for benzene in drinking water. Benzene can form in beverages containing vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate preservatives. Exposure to heat and light can result in formation. (5)

As for the statistics on consumption and its consequences for health, I have no doubt that soft drinks are one of the reasons Leading a nutritional standpoint why many people suffer from health problems. Apart from the negative effects of soda itself, taking much of it is likely leave you with little appetite for whole foods that your body needs to function at its best.

Your 3D Coach
Craig Burton

References
(1) reportinfo.asp http://www.researchandmarkets.com/? report_id = 302947.
(2) final-Refresh http://www.nutritionaustralia.com.au/SNAC/ Paper.pdf
(3) Squires, S, Amazing Statistics Dangers of Soda Pop, 2001 http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/10/ soda_pop_dangers.htm
(4) Mercola, J, the real dangers refresh for you and your children, http://www.mercola.com/2003/jul/9/soda_dangers.htm mercola.com, 2003
(5) Alcoholic beverages: the disease in a box, bloomberg.com, May 20, 2006

About the Author

Article by Craig Burton. Craig is a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach and founder of 3D Personal Training Systems. Craig is a Sports Science graduate with postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training, and corrective exercise therapy.
He is the author of “The 21 Day Roadmap to Health” available at http://www.21dayroadmap.com.
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