The Secrets Behind What is in Your Soda
We drink soda and other sugary beverages for two reasons. They taste delicious, thanks to the massive amounts of sugar* (and artificial sweeteners) that can be found in them. We also drink soda and sports drinks for another reason, one that we often overlook, yet face on a daily basis. That is the fact that soda and sports drinks are made to make us dehydrated, and in doing so force us to drink more in order to annihilate our thirst.
*Unless the soda is diet, then switch out the enormous amounts of sugar, for huge amounts of added artificial chemicals that we cannot even pronounce and have a minor understanding of. Remember if it is to good to be true then it usually is.
This fact is often overlooked as we see soda as only being a sweet and sugary comfort beverage. There are ingredients in soda and sports drinks that actually do the opposite of thirst quenching such as caffeine and salt. These are substances that we all too often neglect to bring into the conversation.
This article will bring to light why soda is not only addictive, but is actually made never to quench our thirst and leave us wondering why the hell we are still thirsty.
1) Caffeine. Caffeine is a mild stimulant that increases blood pressure and gives us a good kick. In moderation, caffeine has been proven to have zero negative effects on human health.
Caffeine naturally speeds up the process of urine extraction. Leaving our bodies craving more liquid.
2) Salt- We often forget that salt is even in soda, because we can't taste it. There is a reason for this. Salt dehydrates the body. Which again leaves us unfulfilled in our quest to quench our thirst. Although the amount of salt found in soda is small, it still has a huge affect on our thirst systems.
The fact that salt is even in soda is evidence that soda companies are not in the business of quenching our nations thirst. Salt is found in soda to keep us thirsty and keep us drinking more, which then results in us buying more.
3) Sugar- Sugar is in soda for a few reasons. By nature it is addictive, so when we consume it our bodies crave more and in result we drink more. Also a most important reason why sugar is added is that it covers up the taste of salt. Why else would a 20 oz bottle of soda contain over 130 grams of sugar?
But Ryan, don't we drink soda to quench our thirst?
In theory yes, in reality we are simply pouring liquid into a strainer.
Our thirst can never, ever be quenched by drinking soda or sports drinks.
The caffeine forces us to speed up the process of urine extraction, which results in a need for liquid. Salt dehydrates our bodies and leaves us loathing with the feeling of thirst that we wanted to exterminate in the first place. This can only lead to one action. The drinking of more soda.
Sports Drinks
This same combination is used in sports drinks as well. Minus the caffeine. Sports drinks are incredibly sugary to cover up the salt that is present. Salt was originally put in sports drinks to replace the sodium and electrolytes that are lost while we sweat.
I am sorry to rain on the parade of those who regularly consume sports drinks after working out, but the vast majority of us "common folk" do not work out anywhere near the intensity and duration to justify the consumption of sports drinks.
You may want to drink them because Tiger Woods and Lebron James drink and endorse them, but know that you are only drinking sugar water with a splash of sodium. In the long run making you gain weight and perhaps do the complete opposite of what your end goal was in the first place.
If your body truly needs more sodium and sugar, then you will know. You may feel light headed and completely fatigued. How often do everyday people like you and me get to that level of intensity while running on the treadmill or playing pick up basketball?
Ever wonder why there is over 70 grams of sugar (34 grams of sugar and 34 grams of carbs) in a 20oz bottle of Gatorade? It sure as shit is not put there for our health. It is present to cover up the taste of the 270 mg of salt that are found there.
Why can't we taste the salt in soda and sports drinks?
If we could then nobody would buy them. I don't know about you but I think salt water tastes disgusting. Cover that salt up with lots and lots of sugar and we get a drink that is not only incapable of quenching our thirst, which was the goal in drinking the beverage in the first place, but we also get a product that is addictive and (unfortunately) down right tasty.
Drinking soda (or any other sugar containing food) is comparable to being addicted to drugs. We are happy while we are consuming them but after that initial euphoria we are left unsatisfied and feel utterly worthless. This results in the consumption of more sugar laced products. This never ending cycle is what keeps companies that produce high sugar foods in business.
If you are "addicted" to soda, do not fear, you are not alone. Millions of people across the globe drink massive amounts of soda everyday. Just know that cutting soda out of the diet could have the single most dramatic impact on your body in terms of weight loss and overall health as any other single act. Even more important than exercising.
This will not be easy. Smokers who are addicted to the nicotine found in cigarettes say that quitting smoking was the hardest thing they have ever done. Breaking the addiction to soda (sugar and also caffeine for some people) is comparable. I am not kidding. Sugar is more addictive than most drugs. Just because it is legal does not change its natural properties and how it interacts within the human body.
Don't be dumb. Drink water to quench your thirst. I don't care if you think water is boring. It has 0 calories, no sugar, salt or caffeine. Save yourself some money and self-loathing and stop drinking any kind of drink that comes in a bottle* (except for water 
)
* I have a feeling that many of the Snapple tea drinkers out there will argue with me that not all bottled drinks are bad. You're wrong. Next time you buy a tea beverage that comes in a bottle, check out the ingredients. High Fructose Corn Syrup is usually in the top three. The tea that comes in bottles is not real tea. No amount of antioxidants will save you from the massive amounts of sugar that are found in these beverages.
- Ryan
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February 13th, 2010 - 10:57
Two things. A. Good article and didn’t you have an example someone posted earlier on some basketball player who was addicted to soda? Just curious.
B. What do you think of Juices such as apple, orange etc. Don’t those have tons of sugar in it as well?
February 14th, 2010 - 16:41
Patty,
Yes I did mention a pro basketball player that was addicted to soda. I mention pro basketball player Caron Butler, saying that “He was addicted to Mountain Dew. He seriously drank like 7 or 8 cans a day and would even wake up at night and chug one! This summer he decided to quit. For 2-3 weeks he would have cold sweats, difficulty sleeping and would even get the shakes. His body was freaking out because of withdrawal from caffeine and sugar!”
Pretty wild stuff.
What about Juices? Well you bring up a very vital point that many people tend to over look or simply choose to ignore. Sugar is sugar is sugar. Our bodies digest all sugar the exact same way. It does not matter if the sugar comes from high fructose corn syrup or from an apple.
We like to believe that fruit juices are a superior drink than soda because the sugars are “natural”. What the hell does that mean? High fructose corn syrup is a natural sugar too. It comes directly from corn! This blind faith in fruit drinks being healthy because they come from fruit is a massive misunderstanding. Remember that I am only attacking fruit juices, not the whole fruit itself. There is a massive difference between the two. Fruit juice is pure sugar. Their is no fiber and no nothing, just sugar and water. Actual fruits have fiber, vitamins and have not been heated up to over 200 degrees to kill all the bacteria and enzymes (which are the reasons why eating whole fruit is good) that are found in it.
I find it funny that a lot of school districts across the country of removing soda services from their campuses, yet they leave the sports drinks and fruit juices. They are all pieces of the same puzzle.
Thanks for the great question Pat!
-Ryan
February 15th, 2010 - 16:17
Kind of off topic…. but still dealing with sugar. The other day in class, we had a discussion about how schools are banning cupcakes and other sweet treats kids bring in for birthday celebrations, holidays, etc… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous but you’ll probably think it’s a good idea lol
I guess schools have been banning this stuff for years and I never even heard about it…! makes me so mad
February 16th, 2010 - 07:32
Shea,
Wow, I have never heard of such a thing! And actually I think that is a ridiculous idea. Don’t get me wrong sugar is a terrible substance that should be eaten rarely, but life shouldn’t be taken that seriously. Cupcakes, cake, muffins and whatever other treats are available, are what make birthdays and holidays awesome. Shit I eat Christmas cookies and treats till I puke during the holiday season. We do not run into a problem unless we let that holiday eating carry over to our everyday lives.
Sounds like schools are trying to take all the fun out of being a kid! Thanks for reading and commenting Shea
-Ryan
February 17th, 2010 - 15:58
Modern school system= soviet school system. Good post, getting social with it.
February 18th, 2010 - 11:38
Anthony,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving and a comment.
The modern school system in America definitely has it faults. The intentions are good, but our current ways of testing and teaching are outdated and must be changed. I could go on and on about the National School Lunch Program as well but I will save that for another post.
Thanks for “getting social with it” lol, I appreciate it
-Ryan
February 19th, 2010 - 14:25
unsweetened bottled teas don’t have sugar or salt in them banks
February 19th, 2010 - 14:29
also you haven’t talked at all about carbonation which is probably the largest difference between sports drinks and sodas. Fruit juices also do not contain carbonates, and provide people with vitamins that sodas do not have. Sugar in fruit drinks is energy; it isn’t going to kill you or make you fat, and you need energy to live and function.
February 19th, 2010 - 15:00
Houli,
The vast majority of people do not drink unsweetened teas. Unsweetened bottled teas taste like dirt. I am speaking to those that drink sweetened teas, which actually taste good.
Thanks for the comment bro
Ryan
February 19th, 2010 - 21:40
What do you think about adding Crystal Light to water? I need some flavor to my water. Is it as bad for me as soda?
February 21st, 2010 - 16:22
Houli,
“Carbonation which is probably the largest difference between sports drinks and sodas.”
Yes I did leave this fact out of my article. The main reason was because carbonation is really not that big of deal. Other than the fact that carbonation prevents vitamins and minerals from existing it is not that bad. How vitamins and minerals are actually found in soda pre-carbonation? Carbon is actually a stomach stabilizer. Which is why mommy always gives us Sprite or 7-up when we are sick.
Yes fruit juices do provide people with vitamins that sodas do not have. However the juices that are found in these drinks are far from the same juice that is squeezed out of a fresh piece of fruit. Juices that are found in bottles are heated up to kill all of the bacteria and other natural substances that are found in fruit. This is done to kill any ingredient that may spoil the juice.
Many health enthusiasts have probably come across the term “phytonutrients”. These are nutrients that are found in living things. The jury is still out on all the benefits of these, but many believe that they are the sole reason as to why whole, fresh fruits and vegetables are so beneficial for the human body. When juices or any fresh vegetable are heated or cooked, the phytonutrients are destroyed.
I would also like to mention that we as a society put way to much weight in the vitamin basket. Vitamins are not a bad thing, I am not saying that we should all stop eating foods with vitamins. I am simply stating that vitamins receive much more attention than they deserve (other than Vitamin D). We can get all of the vitamins we need by eating a balanced diet. The juices found in fruits are present along with lots of fiber. Fiber slows the digestion and absorption of the fruit it self.
For moment, think how much juice is actually found in a piece of fruit. Not much. This is not by mistake. If it takes six apples to make a 12oz bottle of apple juice, would you be able to eat six apples in one sitting? Of course not, you would be full far before you got to six. The fiber found in these fruits acts as a mediator. To reinforce my point even further, fruit juices contain absolutely no fiber in them. They are pure sugar with some vitamins. The trade off of obtaining vitamins while consuming huge amounts of sugar is far from fair.
“Sugar in fruit drinks is energy; it isn’t going to kill you or make you fat, and you need energy to live and function.”
Are you serious? Yes it will make us fat and all food is energy so I have no idea how you can claim that fruit drinks are energy. Can we not get energy from other foods?
Houli, sugar is sugar is sugar. At the molecular level, our bodies digest sugar the same no matter where is came from. Whether it be from an apple or from sugar cane. Do not let the popular belief that all fruits, no matter what kind, sit beside the thrown of God. Yes we need glucose (the sugar found in fruits) to survive, but not in the form or quantities that we consume them.
Thanks for the thought provoking comment. Even though I still do not understand your fruit is energy claim. Maybe you can explain it more clearly.
-Ryan
February 21st, 2010 - 16:29
Chris,
Hmmm. Crystal light is much, much better than soda. The little packets do not contain any where near the amount of sugar that soda and sports drinks do. I’m pretty sure that many drinks like Crystal Light contain artificial sweeteners as well. Although their is no link between AS and health, I personally shy away from any and all chemically made substances.
If you have to decide between soda or CL, choose the CL every time. If you need flavor in your water, I recommend taking some fruit and squeezing the juice into your water. Fresh and natural water flavoring for a fraction of the price. I personally love taking a few slices of lemon or lime and squeezing the juice in my water. This can be done with most citrus fruits. Not sure if it would work with fruits like apples or grapes, but it is worth a shot.
Thanks for reading and commenting Chris,
Ryan
February 22nd, 2010 - 10:37
Banks
I know from my bio class in Madison that all food we eat is converted to sugar because that is what the body uses for energy. Fruit juices are sugar therefore they are energy. I agree that fruit juices from concentrates are no better for u then soda. However I don’t think that imediately means they are “bad” for you. About your vitamin comment though; vitamins are converted to amino acids that are nessecary for our DNA and RNA replication. You are right that we can get our daily needs from food however most Americans have diet lacking in vitamins so it’s probably benificial that they take supplements so their DNA does not decay prematurely. (again this was also from my bio class in Madison)
February 22nd, 2010 - 10:37
Btw good discussion
February 22nd, 2010 - 17:37
Houli,
“all food we eat is converted to sugar”
If we talking about carbohydrates, then yes, those are all broken down into simple sugars. As far as all foods are concerned, not true. Fats and proteins are broken down into both fatty acids and amino acids. In this day in age the majority of our energy does come from glucose, because large amounts of grains, sugars and carbs in general are consumed. However, just because glucose is our primary energy source does not mean that we cannot obtain our energy from other sources.
“Fruit Juices are sugar therefore they are energy”
Yes they CAN be used as energy. But if our energy requirements are already met, which is often the case, sugar is then digested by the liver and re-released as fat and cholesterol in the blood. Which end up as fat in our bodies.
I just want to clear up my position on fruit and fruit juices. In moderation I have no problem with fruits. Although they contain lots of sugar, no matter how “natural”, but they also contain fiber and are a whole food. I could never bash a whole food that has never been processed.
Fruit juice is completely different though. Their is no fiber or any girth to slow down the absorption of the sugars found in these beverages. It just shoots right through the body and if our body does not utilize it as energy, turns to fat.
“Most Americans have a diet lacking in vitamins so it’s probably beneficial that they take supplements”
Those were my same thoughts until I read an article in the Science Times section the NY Times a while back.
“Researchers in the Women’s Health Initiative study tracked eight years of multivitamin use among more than 161,000 older women. Despite earlier findings suggesting that MVs might lower the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, the study, published in the The Archives of Internal Medicine, found no such benefit.”
Also, the article noted a study that tracked 15,000 male physicians for a decade. The study reported no differences in cancer or heart disease rates among those who used a vitamin E and C supplement and those who took a placebo.
The article is really interesting as it also points out that in test tubes cancer “gobbles up” vitamin C.
This kind of strays away from the DNA and RNA aspect (which you are correct in saying), but it is compelling none the less. I tried to find the article online and could not. If your interested I have the hard copy you could borrow.
As far as vitamins go, you hit the nail on the head as to why we feel the need to take a MV. The majority of Americans eat a nutritionally poor diet and look to MVs as a scape goat to eating whole, natural foods. This belief is slowly losing its weight.
And yes this is a great discussion. Houli, you bring up valid points that I know many other people are thinking. Thank you for making them public.
-Ryan
February 22nd, 2010 - 21:18
Well the decay of DNA and RNA prematurely is what leads to cancer. Your DNA becomes old and weak due to millions of multiplications over the course of your life and eventually can’t losses a step or two. everytime your cells replicate a small portion of your dna strand is lost forever. I forget the exact word for it and i sold that textbook back so i can’t reference it. However i know by keeping a healthy supply of amino acids, you can slow DNA decay, however everyone if they live long enough will have their DNA decay enough to start producing cancerous cells in some portion of their body.
February 23rd, 2010 - 07:16
Houli,
Well said. Many do not know that cancer is a result of DNA mutation. Thanks for the insight.
-Ryan
April 8th, 2010 - 21:08
Hey There, This article made me feel like my commie gym teacher, but nonetheless more healthy so thanks.