The sugar in regular soda also contributes to tooth decay and dental caries since it is usually consumed between meals throughout the day, when Americans aren t brushing their teeth. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that those who eat 1,600 calories per day consume fewer than six teaspoons a day of refined sugar. Since sugar provides empty calories, heavy soda drinkers may be missing out on good nutrition, while still taking in enough calories to cause weight gain. Although soda does not directly cause obesity, it can definitely contribute to excess calories, which plays a huge role in weight gain. Coincidentally obesity rates have risen with the increased rate of soft drink consumption and coincidentally heavy soda drinkers often have higher calorie intakes.
Bone health is a huge issue with soda consumption.
First of all, soda has replaced milk in many Americans diets, especially in young girls . Since milk contains calcium, it protects people from bone problems such as osteoporosis. Young girls who are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis should limit soda intake and increase milk intake. The caffeine in soda also contributes to bone loss because it increases the amount of calcium in urine. Keep in mind that even though diet soda doesn t contain sugar, it contains caffeine that leads to increased loss of bone.