The Bubbling Truth: How Carbonated Drinks Affect Student Health

Olubode Rachael

“I take soda almost every day,” says a 300-level student of Theatre Arts. Sodas are carbonated, water-based, artificially flavoured drinks, mostly with colourings, caffeine, preservatives, and added sweetener. They are mostly served cold or at room temperature. They are also refreshing, especially when taken after a hot and busy day. Sodas, or, as they are commonly known, soft drinks, are a staple in our diets. Many of us love to say we want a “bottle of cold drink” after a long and stressful day. Especially now when the season is hot and dry. We find ourselves dehydrated easily, and the only thing some people quench their thirst with is a bottle of soda.

According to an article published by Healthline, added sugar, especially when consumed in excess, can adversely affect your health. However, some sources of sugar are worse than others—and sugary drinks are by far the worst. This primarily applies to sugary soda but also to fruit juices, highly sweetened coffees, and other sources of liquid sugar. However, the overconsumption of these drinks has effects on an individual’s health. Some of these health concerns are:

Dental decay: Most soft drinks contain high concentrations of simple carbohydrates like glucose and sucrose. If oral bacteria ferment these simple carbohydrates and produce acids that may dissolve the tooth enamel and induce dental decay, then it may increase the risk of dental caries.

Obesity and weight-related diseases: The same article by Healthline further states that sugar-sweetened drinks, including soda, can lead to health complications like weight gain, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes. The consumption of these beverages also leads to obesity and many other weight-related issues, including metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors.

Kidney stones: Sugary soda contains virtually no essential nutrients—no vitamins, no minerals, and no fiber. It adds nothing to your diet except excessive amounts of added sugar and unnecessary calories. The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology published a study in 2013. The study concluded that the consumption of soft drinks was associated with a 23% higher risk of developing kidney stones.

Bone density and bone loss: A research study was done on several hundred men and women in 2006, and the study discovered that women who took three or more soft drinks daily had significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) of about 4% in the hip compared to women who did not. The research, however, discovered no significant effect on men’s BMD.

In conclusion, it is important that students reduce their consumption of soft drinks to reduce their risk of having these health challenges.