The dangers of soda

Did you know that a 20-ounce glass of cola contains the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? This is nearly 3 times the maximum daily sugar intake recommended by the American Heart Association!

HFCS typically contains a mixture of 45 percent glucose and 55 percent fructose (although recent investigations have found that some sodas contain 65% fructose!

Once you drink it, your pancreas quickly begins to create insulin in response to the sugar. The rise in blood sugar is very rapid. Here’s what happens in your body upon drinking a can of pop:

• In the first 20 minutes, your blood sugar spikes, and your liver responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar into fat.
• And by the time 40 minutes has passed, caffeine absorption is complete; your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream.
• At about the 45 minute level, your body increases dopamine production, which stimulates the pleasure centers of your brain – a physically identical response to that of heroin, by the way.
• After one hour, you’ll start to have a blood sugar crash, and you may be tempted to reach for another sweet snack or beverage.

Here is something you may not have known: *Fructose Turns into Fat Far Faster than Other Sugars, and Fats!

*Fructose is processed in your liver, and unlike other sugars, most of it gets shuttled into fat storage.

This is why fructose is a primary culprit behind obesity—far more so than other sugars. Drinking two bottles of soda per day can make you gain a pound of fat per week!

And getting too much fructose is linked to increased triglyceride levels. In one study, eating fructose raised triglyceride levels by 32% in males. Triglycerides, the chemical form of fat found in foods and in your body, are not something you want in excess amounts.

One of the Easiest Ways to Radically Improve Your Health

By now you probably know what that is...

Quit drinking soda.

Cutting out soft drinks is one of the most crucial factors to address many of the health problems you or your children suffer. This is because normalizing your insulin levels is one of the most powerful physical actions you can take to improve your health and lower your risk of disease and long-term chronic health conditions.

Pure water is a much better choice, or if you must drink a carbonated beverage, try sparkling mineral water with some lime or lemon juice.