Soda beverages are popular across the globe, although they’re not the healthiest option. The problem becomes even more severe with the increasing intake of soda among children. To shed more light on this important subject, this post focuses on the effects of soda on kids.
How much soda should kids drink?
According to the American Heart Association, children should consume up to six teaspoons (100 calories) of added sugar per day. A study published in the journal Circulation recommended limiting the consumption of sugary drinks to eight ounces a week.
Unfortunately, one study found that two-thirds of children in the United States consume at least one sugary drink a day, and 30% drink two or more on a given day.
How does soda affect children?
Children in the U.S. drink a lot more soda than recommended. Since soda is abundant in sugar and high in calories, the effects on children’s health are numerous. Below, you can learn more about the different effects of soda beverages on your kids.
Increased diabetes risk
A growing body of evidence confirms that consuming large amounts of sugary soft drinks raises the risk of type 2 diabetes. Once a child drinks soda, their blood sugar levels increase quickly, after which the body produces higher levels of insulin. When this happens regularly, fluctuations in blood sugar appear, which can damage cells that produce insulin. Diabetes in children paves the way to numerous complications that affect their quality of life.
Weight gain
Reports show that over the past 30 years, the rates of childhood obesity in the United States have tripled. One out of six children in the U.S. is obese, whereas one in three children is overweight. An unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are among the biggest culprits for increasing rates of obesity in children. Studies show that the consumption of sugary drinks such as soda is positively associated with weight gain. Consequences of childhood obesity are numerous and include a higher risk of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and more.
Aggression
Not only does soda cause various health risks, but it can also affect a child’s behavior. Children who drink soda have higher scores on measures of aggression than their counterparts who don’t drink these beverages.
One study reported that aggression, attention problems, and withdrawal behavior are all linked to soda intake among young kids.
A lot more research is necessary to determine why soda contributes to aggressive behaviors. Soda beverages contain aspartame, sugar, caffeine, and sodium benzoate, which can cause negative side effects in children.
Tooth decay
While soda may taste delicious, it is detrimental to a child’s dental health. Every time a child sips soda, they’re putting themselves at a higher risk of developing cavities. That happens because soda beverages are abundant in sugar. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar, which increases the production of acid that attacks tooth enamel. Eventually, these acid attacks on teeth lead to cavities. Children have to visit a dentist more frequently to take care of dental cavities; otherwise, it could cause various problems. And, as you already know, visiting a dentist isn’t a child’s favorite activity.
Sleep problems
Sleep is essential for everyone, particularly for children. Kids who get enough sleep also have better attention, learning, memory, behavior, and cognitive functioning. Children who don’t get enough good night’s rest are more prone to moodiness, negative behaviors, and impaired cognitive abilities, including poor memory and weak concentration. Children may also notice their performance in school has become weaker.
Soda, and other soft drinks, can reduce sleep duration. These beverages cause sleep problems because they contain caffeine and too much sugar, both of which can impair your sleep schedule.
Problems with digestion
Healthy digestion is crucial for our immune system, weight management, and other aspects of health. As mentioned above, soda is a sugar-laden product. But young children may experience problems digesting some sugars in these beverages. As a result, a child may experience diarrhea or loose bowel action.
How to encourage the child to drink less soda
Children in the United States drink a lot more soda than recommended. Around 30% of them drink soda two times a day. The negative effects of soda are numerous and may include diabetes, poor memory, and other functions. The most important thing here is to inspire the child to drink less soda.
Achieving that goal is easier than most people believe. First, it’s practical to learn as much as you can about the different effects of soda on children. That way, you already have evidence to back up your claims. Instead of judging a child, it’s important to be proactive. One way to make that happen is to remove juices and sweet soda drinks from the child’s menu.
Parents should avoid using soda drinks and other sugary beverages as a punishment when a child does something wrong or as a reward for doing well. Other options, such as healthy fruit juices, are always open and should be introduced to a child’s diet gradually. The best way to keep children interested in healthier options is to make them appear more fun.
At the same time, parents need to reevaluate their influence on their child’s need to choose to drink soda. If a child grows up in an environment where doing so is normal, they may end up with a strong urge to drink soda. Peer pressure is also a problem. In an attempt to look cool like other kids, children may repeat their choices. Eventually, this can lead to a bigger health concern.
Conclusion
Everyone drinks soda, especially children. The problems occur when children drink a lot more soda than it’s recommended. While they may consider sodas delicious, children can develop various health problems due to these beverages. For example, soda can contribute to the development of diabetes. It’s also one of several factors that contribute to weight gain in children. Health effects are numerous, but the solution is simple – make sure your children drink less soda than they do now. Making healthier options appealing is a good way to start.