While there are plenty of reasons people love Coke, there are even more to try to cut back on the sweet stuff. Soft drinks are harmful to your teeth and to your entire body. While you’ve certainly heard in the past just how damaging Coke can be, sometimes it’s a good idea to check out all the data in one place. If you’re trying to prevent cavities, reduce your risk of other disease, and even trim your waistline, limiting your soda intake is a great idea.
Even diet soda has negative health impacts, although the sugar has been replaced with artificial sweeteners. But those sweeteners are just as acidic in the mouth, causing similar erosion for enamel. And they trigger insulin production in the body the same way real sugar does, leading to weight gain. A new study actually found that people who drank 1-6 diet drinks per week had 2x the risk of stroke as those who did not. The study also found links between diet soda and dementia.
If you’re ready to make a change, start with the tips in our infographic below. Then, schedule your next dental exam so that you can check in on how your teeth are doing – and take care of any soda-borne decay that may have taken hold.
If you’re looking for a good place to start, just buy a little less soda this week during your grocery trips. It’s a good idea to slowly reduce your intake; those who go cold turkey are more likely to start drinking again shortly after. Replace the soda with seltzer water or unsweetened iced tea. Soon enough, your tastes will adjust and you won’t want Coke as often – you can make it into an occasional treat instead.
