Skip the Soda
A 2020 epidemiological study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has confirmed that drinking sugary beverages on a regular basis puts a person at high risk of developing abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to those who rarely drink those beverages.
The study, led by a research team at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts, found that adults who drank at least 1 sugary beverage daily had a 98% higher chance of developing low HDL cholesterol and a 53% higher chance of developing high triglycerides, when compared to the group who seldom or never consumed sugary drinks. The scientists also observed similar results when they examined long-term intakes of sugary beverages during a follow-up time of about 12 years.
Please note, sugary drinks include soda, fruit juices (i.e., orange juice, lemonade, fruit punch), sports drinks (i.e. Gatorade), fruit-flavored or powdered drinks (ie. flavored protein powders), flavored or plain milk products (i.e., strawberry or chocolate milk), energy drinks, vitamin-enhanced drinks and water, sweetened tea, coffee, and alcohol. It basically means any beverage other than plain water and freshly made vegetable juice/smoothies.
The “it's only one drink per day” mentality is dangerous to human health, especially in the era of COVID-19. It has quickly led to a weaker immune system for Americans of all ages and high probability of getting infected with COVID-19.
For many people, one more coffee or soda refill is causing this worldwide phenomenon. Left unchecked with a growing pandemic in the background, we are asking for trouble.
It is painfully clear that having any consumption of a sugary drink on a daily basis is causing damaging health impacts for all ages. Avoidance or sparing consumption is highly recommended in order to sustain health. One thing is for certain: We are better off quenching our thirst with water. Long-term consumption of diet soda on health is not inconclusive, even though so many health experts say that there is not enough information yet. They typically cite 100% fruit juice, coffee, alcohol, milk products, diet soda, sweetened teas, energy drinks, flavored water and other beverages, are common replacements for sugar-sweetened beverages and claim to have no consistent associations with adverse changes in cholesterol and increased risk of dyslipidemia.
What we put in our glass and on our plate may be killing us more than we are led to believe. Have whole fruits and vegetables instead. Mix the veggies up between having them raw versus cooked. They are rich in natural sugars your body loves and can easily process. They are also critical to preventing your future infection with COVID-19.
Dr. Bhandari Is Here to Support Your Health.
As one of nation’s top integrative functional medicine physicians, Dr. Bhandari work with patients suffering from chronic health concerns which modern medicine can only provide side effect-ridden solutions without a cure. By taking the best in Eastern and Western Medicine, Dr. Bhandari understands the root cause of diseases on a cellular level and designs personalized treatment plans which drive positive results. Reach out to SF Advanced Health or call 1-415-506-9393 to learn more.
AUTHOR
Dr. Payal Bhandari M.D. is one of U.S.'s top leading integrative functional medical physicians and the founder of SF Advanced Health. She combines the best in Eastern and Western Medicine to understand the root causes of diseases and provide patients with personalized treatment plans that quickly deliver effective results. Dr. Bhandari specializes in cell function to understand how the whole body works. Dr. Bhandari received her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 1997 and Doctor of Medicine degree in 2001 from West Virginia University. She the completed her Family Medicine residency in 2004 from the University of Massachusetts and joined a family medicine practice in 2005 which was eventually nationally recognized as San Francisco’s 1st patient-centered medical home. To learn more, go to www.sfadvancedhealth.com.