Is Soda A Drug? A Nutritionist’s Perspective – Part 2

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By Christie Korth, CHC

Continued from part 1 of the article…..

soda* 45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.

* 60 Minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.

* 60 Minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that were headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolytes and water. Not only is the soda an “empty” simple carbohydrate, it robs your body of many other essential vitamins and minerals, as well.

* 60 Minutes: Pay attention to your bladder, by now it is almost certain you have had to urinate as a result of your kidneys trying to excrete this mystery substance as soon as possible. When your body does not recognize a substance, it is very quick to send the appropriate signals to your body to digest rapidly. This is viewed as a state of emergency. It is as if the body is saying to your brain, “Help-Get this out of here fast-it’s doing us not good at all and it’s invading our nutrition supply!” Hence the need to use the bathroom an hour after soda consumption. While you were in the bathroom, you have now lost all of the water that was in the Soda. Sadly, not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for vital functions. Such as maintaining the ability to hydrate ones system or build strong bones and teeth. This is how soda drinking can lead to osteoporosis. The phosphates in the soda leech the calcium out of your blood and bones.

* After the fiasco in the bathroom, you will surely be overjoyed to learn that this will all be followed by a caffeine crash in the next few hours. (An added bonus: Count on the caffeine crash to occur in as little as two hours or less if you’re a smoker.) But, hey, have another Soda; it’ll make you feel better. And so another ride sugar on the sugar highway begins.

3 Quick Tips for Avoiding A Ride on The Soda Highway:

1. Drink plenty of water. If water is your beverage of choice, after awhile, you will stop craving sugary drinks. If you can replace one cup of soda per day with a cup of water you have the right idea. Over time, this will allow you to quit or cut down on your soda consumption.

2. Make a Pact: Make your own soda. If you want soda, only allow yourself to have it if you allow yourself to make it. For example, try club soda, with agave nectar, fresh lemon and lime juice and presto: you have made your own Sprite. Don’t love Sprite? Try sparkling seltzer with fruit juice for a fruity soda.

3. Occasionally treat yourself to organic soda. Stop buying soda at home and have it only at special occasions. Make sure everyone in your house adheres to this rule, so there is no cheating. Watch how much your consumption dwindles when you stop purchasing it!

Christie Korth is a Crohn’s disease survivor, author, certified health coach and holistic nutritionist who found her way to health and wellness after nearly succumbing to a severe case of Crohn’s disease. After harnessing the power of nutrition and gaining her health back, she then went on to be the founder and director of Happy & Healthy Wellness Counseling based just outside of NYC. She studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Columbia University and the Clayton College of Natural Health and is a certified holistic health practitioner with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Christie is the Corporate Nutritionist for Brain Balance Achievement Centers, where she designs the nutrition protocol for franchises across the country. Christie is a nutrition expert for Dr. Oz’s Sharecare.com and frequently contributes nutrition articles to Long Island Parent Magazine. Christie is he author of The IBD Healing Plan and Recipe Book: A Guide to Releive Crohn’s and Colitis with Whole Foods. Christie lives in New York with her son, her husband, and her cat.