Food Guide and Recipes

Obesity is, admittedly, an intricate issue that may depend on numerous factors. Genetics, eating habits, lifestyle and exercise are some of the most commonly referred causes of obesity. Although there is no single cause for obesity, researchers have correlated the increased consumption of sugary beverages with the rise of obesity in the United States, considering the soft drink consumption as one of the top contributors to the obesity problem.

In 2005, ‘Liquid Candy’, a report produced by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), suggested that soft drinks are the leading source of calories in the diet of Americans. Soft drinks have a high concentration of added sugars, and particularly, fructose corn syrup in each can. However, as fructose is known for not affecting appetite, people who regularly consume fructose-sweetened drinks do not feel satiated and thus overconsumption is encouraged. Besides, companies produce nearly 52 gallons of soda pop per year, enough to fill up every man, woman or child. Continue reading ‘How soft drinks contribute to obesity’ »

Soft drink consumption is generally associated to severe health conditions. Although soft drinks have nutritional value and help the body rehydrate, while replenishing all its vital vitamins and minerals after intense exercising, they are, admittedly, harmful.

Heart diseases are included in the long list of severe health conditions that are associated to the consumption of soft drinks. Scientific research has shown that the added sugars contained in the soft drinks in the form of high fructose corn syrup are responsible for increased levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. According to a 10-week scientific experiment, people who consume sugar-sweetened soft drinks demonstrate high levels of blood pressure. On the contrary, people who consume artificially sweetened beverages exhibit lower levels of blood pressure. Continue reading ‘How carbonated beverages can lead to heart diseases’ »

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Very few people drink soda because they believe it is good for them. In majority, people love soda because it is tasteful, quenches thirst and comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, there is an increasing concern in the scientific world in regards to the harmful effects of soda on human health. And this is because, in numerous experimental studies, intake of soda was associated with condensed bone mass, reduced calcium levels in the blood, and increased fracture risk. Besides, soda consumption is a key factor in the occurrence and prevalence of dental caries. SO, even if people do not realize the harm they do by consuming soda on a daily basis, still the harm is done.

Scientific evidence has shown that excessive consumption of soda is responsible for a variety of severe health problems. In effect, the high amounts of soda contained in soft drinks can increase the risk of muscle dysfunctions, bone softening, bone demineralization and tooth problems. Excessive soda consumption may also lead to hypokalaemia, in which the blood potassium levels decline to such an extent that cause an adverse effect on vital muscle functions. According to a clinical study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, people who consume two or more liters of soda per day are more likely to exhibit one of the above severe health conditions. Continue reading ‘Soft drinks: The effect of soda on our teeth and bones’ »

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Although soft drinks are often the culprit for a series of health issues, they are, admittedly, vital vehicles of a balanced diet. After intensive work out, soft drinks are quicker absorbed than water providing to human body hydration and energy, while replenishing all the key vitamins and minerals that the body loses during exercising. Soft drinks typically complement fast food meals or pre-packaged foods, but the can also complement a healthy diet and be real catalysts to health and fitness. Besides, their balanced taste of sweet and acid, matched with their variety of pleasant flavors makes soft drinks appealing to all ages of consumers.

Being well aware of the effect that soft drinks have on consumers and the direct effect of advertising on them, soft drinks corporations and large beverage companies target from elementary school children to elder individuals aiming to meet their tastes and increase their profitability. From their point of view, soft drink corporations have a ‘competitive advantage’ over consumers in terms of being aware of the nutritional significance of soft drinks. Although they often exaggerate in the context of promoting their products and achieve highly profitable operations, still they have a point when they stress the nutritional value of soft drinks. Continue reading ‘Soft drinks: Ingredients and their nutritional value’ »

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