Soda Drinkers Beware!

Leslie Carl

Is drinking soda really as bad as smoking cigarettes?

https://www.naturalhealth365.com/drinking-soda-cigarettes-3235.html

Not only do some sodas contain known carcinogens that cause cancer, but they all have such a low pH that your body has to steal calcium from your bones to bring the pH up to where the body needs it. So drinking lots of soda can lead to osteoporosis.

Linda Bittle

And energy drinks are even worse! Poison in a can or bottle. I think this is one of the most underrated causes of ill health.

I'm so glad I rarely crave a soft drink. I confess that once or twice a year I succumb to the desire for a Dr. Pepper. I did cut out Mountain Dew altogether, even though I really like the taste.

Torey

Thanks for posting @Leslie Carl . Not enough people are aware of the other hazards of sodas besides the obvious sugars. I really like bubbles in my water so am a big fan of the new soda machines on the market. Then you can bubble your water of choice.

I agree @Mary Linda Bittle . "Poison-in-a-can" beverages are bad for health on several levels.

Obiora E

@torey You can also make your own "bubbles" through fermentation. I make homemade ginger ale/beer and hope to next year make some pine soda, along with other using foraged herbs and/or spices.

For the most part I quit drinking soda/soft drinks/pop about 20 years ago, and the last time that I had one I couldn't even believe that I used to like the artificial/fake tasting flavor!

dottile46

Carbonated beverages as a whole are not beneficial to good health. They alter the pH of the stomach and that has several consequences. The natural mucosal lining of the stomach is designed to live in an acidic environment, the natural digestive enzymes of the stomach are designed to live and work in an acidic environment, and the stomach's part of digestion is designed to be done in an acidic environment.

The digestive work of the stomach is basically done as the mechanical churning of the stomach mixes the chewed food with stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This helps to break the food down further. When the pH moves from acidic to neutral or even alkaline, the digestive enzymes die off. (Sure the body tries to replace them by pumping more out which die in the higher pH environment and that cycle continues until the stomach environment again becomes acidic.)

When you alter this part of digestion you receive less minerals from your food. The food doesn't have the acid and enzymes to break it down so it begins to ferment. There's plenty of sugars (from the soda and our high carbohydrate diets) for the fermentation process to really thrive. The fermentation releases gas, which causes belching, bloating, heart burn, acid reflux, and such. Long term it starts to break down the lining of the stomach which can increase the chances of stomach ulcers.

Don't know if I explained it very well but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that we are being duped with the thought that it is the stomach acid's fault for indigestion, belching, bloating, heart burn, acid reflux, etc. Not only is carbonated beverages to blame but so are medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, which are designed to alleviate heartburn. They all alter the natural state of the stomach.

kbmbillups1

@Obiora E I made Kombucha often but when I've tried making Ginger Ale it doesn't become bubbly like my kombucha. I was hoping you would tell me how you make your Ginger Ale. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Thanks!

SuperC

soda beverages are unhealthy as well as the sugar, too

Desiree

I have never been a soda drinker so I am glad I don't have that to deal with!

alindsay22

@dottile46 So you are saying the carbonation is bad so drinking from a soda stream is also not a good thing, right?

dottile46

@alindsay22 yes, that would be true as well.

Torey

To @dottile46 I went to this link but it had nothing to do with carbon dioxide. Could you explain the hazards of ingesting CO2?

alindsay22

It's very acidic, I think that's the problem, right? Or something else?

http://tv.greenmedinfo.com/acidic-alkaline-foods-infographic/

Torey

@alindsay22 I went to the Greenmed Info site but I think they are including "commercial" carbonated water on this chart. Commercial products tend to have potassium citrate added. When you use the "Soda Stream" machine at home all you are getting is CO2 gas added to your choice of water. My well water is extremely alkaline so just adding CO2 shouldn't acidify the resulting bubbly water.

I agree with @dottile46 that common OTC medications for heartburn just exacerbate the condition. If we don't have acid to digest food then it just sits and ferments in our tummies creating more gas and heartburn. So the meds are just masking the condition and actually making it worse. On the advice of a naturopath I have been taking bromelain enzyme whenever I have a digestion issue. Works way better for me than any antacid.

I know that carbonated beverages are generally contraindicated when you have stomach issues but if you are just carbonating your own water, I think it is much less of an issue. Its the chemicals put into commercial products that are the main problem.

dottile46

@torey I started a reply to you last night, fell asleep at my computer, and didn't get it finished. Sorry for that. Its been a rough week here.

Your question was "Could you explain the hazards of ingesting CO2?"

The short version is that it alters digestion, even if only for a short period of time. None of us are fortunate enough to live in a pristine environment (is there still some on the face of the earth?) so we need every last morsel of nutrient dense food we can get our mouths around. We work our behinds off making great compost, planting, tending, and harvesting our own foods and medicinal plants. We spend, or have spent, countless hours studying how to grow nutrient dense foods, whether it is plant or animal based, in order to have our health.

There are many different studies out there just like with anything else that is "studied". Some say it does not affect digestion in any adverse way that it is actually good for digestion because it makes you burp. Other places say it is bad because it makes you burp. Who knows.

maimover

Am very thankful that soda isn’t something I like. I knew the sugar in them was really bad but didn’t realize there were so many other harmful ingredients.

Obiora E

@kbmbillups1 I first make a ginger bug using Spring Water, grated ginger, and Organic Raw Cane Sugar, and I feed it more ginger and sugar daily. I stir, stir, and stir until it begins to ferment. The time it takes is dependent on various factors.

In a large pot (typically more than 4 quarts or gallon) I boil 1 gallon of Spring water and simmer grated ginger for about 30 minutes. While still hot I dissolve Organic Raw Cane Sugar and typically some Blackstrap Molasses. I then add to a crock (sold for 5 gallon Spring water) and wait for it to cool. I then add the ginger bug (how much is depended on how much ginger bug I have) and then stir, stir, and stir. The amount of time taken for fermentation can take from a few hours to a couple of days or more.

I have and continue to use "Wild Fermentation" by Sandor Katz as a guide/resource and inspiration.

kbmbillups1

@Obiora E Thanks! I'll give it another try. I have Wild Fermentation. I've used it to make other things but didn't even think to look for Ginger Bug or Ginger Ale in it.

Obiora E

@kbmbillups1 You are very welcome and sounds good! :)