DrinksSoft drink consumption and acidity
Since 1849 that soft drinks were introduced in the American market, their consumption has soared tremendously for numerous reasons. The direct impact of aggressive marketing from large beverage companies, their low pricing, their great taste, and their exceptional matching with fast food meals and pre-packaged foods, all have made soft drinks a daily routine to the American life. However, excessive consumption of soft drinks is not a health-promoting choice, for the most part because they contain high amounts of added sugars, caffeine, and phosphoric acid.
Phosphoric acid is a chemical additive contained in soft drinks as an artificial flavoring that keeps the carbonated bubbles from going flat. Large beverages companies use phosphoric acid to provide soft drinks with a fizzy bubbling appearance.
One of the major negative effects of phosphoric acid on our health is that it oozes calcium out of the bones, leading to osteoporosis. To be in healthy condition, our body needs to maintain a balance between calcium and phosphorus. When we consume soft drinks moderately, the calcium released from our teeth and bones to our blood balances the phosphoric acid in the soft drink. However, when we consume soft drinks excessively, the phosphoric acid oozes calcium out of our bones. Consequently, our bones are weakened and we face a high risk of developing osteoporosis.
Another major impact of phosphoric acid on our health is that it neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in our stomach. Hydrochloric acid contributes a great deal to a good digestion of food and an efficient calcium metabolism. When calcium is oozed out of our bones, it cannot be restored with hydrochloric acid as the latter is neutralized by phosphoric acid contained in soft drinks. As a result, we may develop an increased risk of kidney or urinary stones.
Phosphoric acid can also cause our teeth to dissolve or erode. Scientific experimentation has demonstrated teeth that have eroded after being immersed for several days in a soft drink. This happens for the following reason: when we consume soft drinks moderately, our teeth enamel is protected because phosphoric acid is neutralized. Besides, the calcium, phosphorus and fluoride contained in our saliva, all remineralize our teeth. However, the overconsumption of soft drinks has a detrimental effect on our teeth because the phosphoric acid dissolves them and, ultimately, erodes them.
The key to protect our health from the negative effects on phosphoric acid is to cut back on soft drink consumption. All research studies suggest that phosphoric acid in soft drinks contributes to dental erosion and calcium imbalance when excessive consumption occurs and not in the course of moderate soft drink consumption. Soft drinks have also a nutritional value that is released provided we consume a regular intake per day and not excessive amounts that cannot be processed by our system. In bottom line, if we consume a healthy, balanced diet with nutritional foods and we exercise regularly, soft drinks can do the least damage in our effort to lead a healthy life. And they can contribute to a refreshing daily routine.