Soda and your Kidneys

[RobinN]

There’s just nothing to be gained from drinking soda. Think about it -- people don’t hesitate to drink what is basically a bubbly brew of water, sugar (mainly high fructose corn syrup or HFCS), food coloring and assorted chemicals, packed with calories and lacking in nutritional value. Carbonated soft drinks are the single largest source of calories in the American diet, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, providing about 7% of our total calorie intake. In addition to staining, eroding and decaying our teeth, soft drinks are associated with an increased risk of obesity, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and possibly osteoporosis. Now there is a new health problem to add to that list -- kidney damage.

MORE SODA = MORE SUGAR = MORE RISK

In a study of 9,358 adults (mean age 45), women who reported drinking two or more sugary sodas within the last 24 hours were nearly twice as likely to have albuminuria -- excess levels of a protein in the urine that is a possible sign of kidney damage. More research is needed to determine if the association with kidney damage is due to sugar in general... HFCS in particular... or some shared lifestyle characteristics of soda drinkers.

Here’s what we know so far...

The widespread use of high fructose corn syrup -- popular with manufacturers because it is cheap, sweet and extends shelf life -- has been prevalent over the same time period there’s been a significant rise in diabetic end-stage renal or kidney disease. The body processes HFCS differently than regular table sugar, and in so doing may cause harm to the kidneys.
Mercury has been detected in many products containing HFCS. (For more on this newly identified hazard, see Daily Health News, April 27, 2009.) Mercury is involved in the manufacturing process for most commercial HFCS -- and mercury is a risk for kidney disease.
Other ingredients in soda, such as phosphorus in colas, may contribute to kidney stones, which are a risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
Men did not have this problem (more research is needed to learn why). Neither did people of either gender who drank diet soda, which is one reason why investigators believe HFCS may be responsible. Results of this research were published in the October 2008 issue of PLoS ONE.

DRINK WATER

To protect your kidneys, your best bet is to simply drink water instead of soda, advises lead researcher David Shoham, PhD, MSPH, of the Loyola University Health System in Illinois. Soda just isn’t worth it.

Source(s):

David Shoham, PhD, MSPH, assistant professor, department of preventive medicine and epidemiology, Loyola University Health System, Maywood, Illinois.

[Molly97]

And yet another popular "food" bites the dust in my household. All my hubby and I have been drinking for months is water. No pop. And TADAA! I've been able to get him to quit using Splenda in his coffee!!!

The mantra here should be IF IT'S A CHEMICAL, YOUR BODY DON'T NEED IT!

[LuvMyTwins]

The best thing that happened to me was that I became pregnant and was required to STOP drinking soda---that was 8 years ago. The high that I got from it was so short term. Getting off of it was no pleasure either---headaches and nausea---UGH!

[RobinN]

If that is what detox is like from soda, it should be loud and clear that detox from anti-epileptic drugs will be just as powerful, if not more so. Those taking them should expect similar symptoms when ramping down from drugs.

[alivenwell]

I've been drinking diet caffeinated soda off and on over several years. Quitting them is really difficult, but I felt better, slept better and lost weight. It makes no sense why quitting a diet soda causes a weight loss.

During the next long weekend, I'll gradually ween myself off the caffeine again.

I am substituting low sugar (no artificial sweeteners!) sports drinks in place of the soda.

[knothing]

The quiting of soft drinks, soda , or pop (call it what you may) is a 2 fold issue.
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup is very difficult for the body to breakdown.In small doses is manageable but if you start reading labels you will notice it is everywhere. Best advice is to eliminate every drink that is pre-made for you that has Corn Syrup in it.
2. Caffeine is a stimulant that like nicotine is addictive. This is what creates the headache when no longer using.Also caffeine helps the body retain water and quickly after cutting this completely out you will notice a small reduction in weight. (I myself lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks).
The detox related to the caffeine that you will go through does stop for most in about 3 to 5 days. I now only drink water or decaffeineted tea that we make ourselves. If I do have a soft drink it is always caffeine free (rootbeer floats or decafe Coke when sick so about once a month at most)

For the record if anyone takes an anti-epileptic drug and your doctor has not informed you of the potential detox effects and even worse the potential risk of seizure ,depending on the medication, you need a new doctor.

[RobinN]

There has been a connection made by many that the diet drinks actually cause the body to gain weight rather than lose it. So maybe that is why you lose weight when you eliminate the diet soda.

It is liquid chemicals, and should not be a part of any nutritional plan if you truly want to regain health. Otherwise you are only kidding yourself.

[alivenwell]

I know that even straight black tea can dehydrate a person. I will gradually ween myself off the caffeine again.

[RobinN]

Do you like Green Tea? It has a flavor that grows on me. I like it iced too.

[epileric]

Do you like Green Tea? It has a flavor that grows on me. I like it iced too.

Robin you just triggered my craving for green tea. There's a whole bunch of other herbal teas that also lack caffeine- most of them are pretty good

[RobinN]

I have been making sun tea, since we have been having a heat wave. When you make the drink special, like with loads of ice, or a sprig of mint, it can be a wonderul drink.
I now prefer green tea to black tea, since I have been shopping differently.
Also though, don't forget lemon in water, with some real sweetener and ice. Lemon is really good for cleansing the liver. As is watermelon. This is in season, and so tasty when it is cold.

[epileric]

Didn't know about lemon or watermelon cleansing the liver. My favourite herbal tea is called "Lemon Zinger" so hopefully my liver isn't too bad.

[LuvMyTwins]

As I slowly reduce my medication (food is going to have to be part of my stability as its what I believe triggers my seizures) there is detox going on daily. It's difficult, but worth it.

[MrsDSB]

i have completely did away with all soda for me. i have been drinking vita water, sobe water, any and all teas, and every kind of juice i can find. i was trying to make things a little healthier for me and trying to rule out things when the seizures started. i really prefer the waters and the juices over pop. i had a pop for the 1st time in a couple of years and the taste was reaallllllllyyyyyyy weird. i hope the diet changes work, at least a little.

[RobinN]

Mrs DSB - just a word of caution. Double check the ingredients and make sure there are no hidden additives, HFCS, "natural flavoring", nothing low fat, or diet, etc

[Shelley]

And yet another popular "food" bites the dust in my household. All my hubby and I have been drinking for months is water. No pop. And TADAA! I've been able to get him to quit using Splenda in his coffee!!!

The mantra here should be IF IT'S A CHEMICAL, YOUR BODY DON'T NEED IT!

Yet I know of people believe in 'better life through chemistry'. I'm not against chemistry, just the ingestion of toxic substances that occur because of chemistry.

[CathyAnn31]

Uggg, I have been a big diet Dr Pepper drinker for 2 decades. I know it isn't good for me. I wish I could learn to like coffee, even if it is decaf.

[RobinN]

CathyAnn - diet drinks are filled with neurotoxins, in addition to the chemicals that are the bulk of the "drink". Most "diet" foods are also not suggested for the fact that they usually contain forms of MSG for taste.

I think we would also suggest that you not trade one trigger for another. Caffeine is a known trigger, and it is recommended to eliminate it if you do consume it. There are some great teas that are actually good for you. (not the bottled sugar types though)

[moonchild1970]

I too am a HUGE Dr Pepper drinker. For the past 6 yrs I just cannot have coffee as it quite literally upsets me stomache. Man I miss it.

[CathyAnn31]

CathyAnn - diet drinks are filled with neurotoxins, in addition to the chemicals that are the bulk of the "drink". Most "diet" foods are also not suggested for the fact that they usually contain forms of MSG for taste.

I think we would also suggest that you not trade one trigger for another. Caffeine is a known trigger, and it is recommended to eliminate it if you do consume it. There are some great teas that are actually good for you. (not the bottled sugar types though)

I used to have 2, 1st thing each morning. I am now trying to just have 1 diet soda in the mornings. It's progress. I hope to cut the 1 out sometime...weaning myself slowly. Thanks Robin.