Carbonation Confusion
Carbonated beverages like cola usually contain phosphoric acids, caffeine, large amounts of sugar, and other chemicals. These may add excess calories (if not diet), be dehydrating, and studies have shown that phosphoric acid in excess actually pulls calcium from bone making you more prone to developing osteoporosis.
But what about carbonated beverages that are caffeine-free and low sodium like club soda or Fresca? Sure, a cold, fizzy drink can be very refreshing, especially in hot weather or after a work-out. But is there such a thing as too much?
The answer is: Yes. Because carbonation usually causes a feeling of fullness or bloating, you may not be getting adequate fluids to rehydrate your body. The human body’s mechanism for thirst detection is very poor. Therefore, we have already been dehydrated for sometime before we feel thirsty.
Companies like Gatorade have not carbonated their products because it causes gastrointestinal distress and inhibits sufficient hydration. Because our bodies are composed of 70 percent water, dehydration can have serious adverse effects on bodily functions and even be fatal. On a smaller scale, our skin is affected many different ways when we do not hydrate it properly. Things like age spots are partially caused by the skin being dehydrated.
When your skin is dry, you will lose the elasticity and resilience or the ability for the skin to return to its original state after pressure is applied. Due to our aging process and environmental stress the resilience or tension and elasticity of our skin gradually deteriorates and then we begin to see the appearance of age spots and wrinkles.
There is no reason to completely eliminate caffeine-free carbonated beverages from your fluid intake. Just consume in moderation and make sure you are drinking 8 ounce glasses of non carbonated/caffeinated water per day to properly hydrate your body and skin to keep you living longer and looking better!
Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of www.Skinnyandthecity.com. She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being. For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.
Tags: age spots, beverages, caffeine, caffeine-free drinks, carbonation, coffee, cola, dehydration, dry skin, elasticity, skin, soda, Tanya Zuckerbrot, wrinkles
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The statement made above that phosphoric acid pulls calcium from our bones is pretty accurate. The human body buffers acidity with calcium and other mineral stores in from our bodies when we ingest acidic foods, drink, etc. Higher intakes of vegetables and the intake of ionized alkaline water are extremely important for helping to maintain a healthy pH in the body and combat all of the acidic elements that we are surrounded by…processed food, carbonated drinks, sugar, pollution, etc.
Ken makes an excellent point about aiding our bodies from the dangers of having our bodies become acidic. Cells cannot function in an acidic environment and can begin to die off due to the pH imbalance that we place it in by our unhealthy choices. I also recommend drinking plenty of water, about 1/2 an ounce for each pound of body weight, to keep our bodies hydrated and fight off acidity. It would take almost 20 glasses of water to counter the effect of just 12 oz. of a carbonated beverage to our body, so my advice is to to drink what we are mostly made of…water! Adding much needed fruits and vegetables can be difficult in our fast paced world, but I am amazed at what Zoe’life has done for me and my patients. It provides over 5 servings of fruits and vegetables mixed in water. You can find more information on this revolutionary health product at http://www.zoelifestyle.com/ccarter7 I have personally lost 15 pounds, feel great, and much healthier than before by simply adding more fruits and vegetables..what a concept. God Bless.