It’s not news that soft drinks are not good for you, but you may be thinking only of your waistline or even your heart health. Your immune system, on the other hand, can be overlooked.
Since soda consists mainly of sugar, and that sugar is known to weaken immune function, it is fair to say that soda can wreak havoc on your body’s ability to fight disease, right? Below we share just five ways that routine soda consumption can pose a threat to your immunity, and then do not miss 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work!
Just one can of 12 grams of Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of added sugar, which can cause a myriad of health problems if consumed too much – and all the time. In reality, sugar is a breeding ground for the spread of bacteria and viruses in the body. In general, sugar also suppresses the immune system because it binds key cells that help keep bacteria out. So if you are going to use a can of Coke, you only need to limit your consumption once a week.
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This is true for everyone, but it is a bigger problem for those with type 2 diabetes. The sugar in soda affects the white blood cells of your immune system, and these important cells are responsible for fighting infection. This is why white blood cells are usually called the “killer cells”. Those who have type 2 diabetes is already susceptible to other serious health complications, such as adverse symptoms of COVID-19, therefore it is critical that they keep non-diet soda consumption low.
If you crack open a can of Dr Pepper (or two) every afternoon, you can not only feel yo-yo between energetic and sluggish, but it can also increases your risk for type 2 diabetes. Drinking sugary drinks regularly can lower your insulin sensitivity, which is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Apart from cutting soda out of your diet, the way you can improve your insulin sensitivity is also by removing saturated fats found in processed foods and red meat, as well as by using a varied exercise routine.
Drinks like Sprite and Pepsi are loaded with extra sugars, which can cause inflammation in the body, which not only inhibits your immune system but can also increase your risk of later developing chronic diseases. One clinical trial even found that people who drank regular soft drinks – as opposed to those who drank soft drinks, milk or just water – had higher levels of uric acid, which is known to promote inflammation and even insulin resistance (an important indicator of type 2). -diabetes)).
Believe it or not, if you carry too much excess weight, it can negatively affect your immune system, and if you drink soda regularly, it can cause weight gain over time. Soda is a beverage called ’empty calories’, which means that even though it costs you calories, none of them offer nutritional value. In fact, the calories in soda do the exact opposite of health benefits.
According to the Obesity Action Coalition, several studies have shown this obesity can impair immunity in different ways, from decreased cytokine production to altered lymphocyte function. As Brittany Busse, MD, co-director at WorkCare, explained in an article on melatonin and coronavirus, anti-inflammatory cytokines are necessary for proper immune function. Lymphocytes, on the other hand, white blood cells that are part of the immune system that help fight invasive viruses and toxins.
Look according to science for more information on Popular Sodas that may be linked to liver damage.