1. Increases your risk for obesity and diabetes
Obesity has become an epidemic, not only in America, but also around the world. Obesity has been linked to several serious health problems, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and infertility.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.” Preventable death is the key word here, meaning that you can make the choice to be healthy. That choice may be to skip those afternoon sodas at your desk.
According to the CDC, almost 35 percent of the United States population is obese. The data suggests that approximately 78.6 million people are on track to possibly develop one or two of the diseases associated with obesity. Type 2 diabetes is already one of the country’s top killers. An interesting fact is that 86 million people have prediabetes, a number pretty close to the 78.6 million people who are obese.
The Coca-Cola company knows that the increasing awareness of obesity may cut into its profits. The 2014 annual report states, “Negative publicity resulting from actual or threatened legal actions against us or other companies in our industry relating to the marketing, labeling or sale of sugar-sweetened beverages may reduce demand for or increase the cost of our sugar-sweetened beverages, which could adversely affect our profitability.”
2. Caffeine and sugar, with a side of aspartame — potentially a recipe for cardiovascular disease and cancer
Caffeine, sugar and aspartame, oh my! There is no denying the overwhelming amount of sugar and caffeine that a 12-ounce can of Coke contains. One can of coke delivers 39 grams of sugar to your heart, bloodstream, liver, kidneys, and all the other vital organs in your body — your temple.
Consuming high amounts of sugar has been directly linked to obesity, and high sugar intake may lead to serious cardiovascular effects as well. A 2011 study published in Hypertension discusses the effect sugar has on cardiovascular health. The study found, “The obesity epidemic has focused attention on relationships of sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) to cardiovascular risk factors.”
In addition to the caffeine and sugar in Coca-Cola, there is another lurking evil called aspartame. Aspartame is a frightening artificial sweetener that has been researched for its link to cancer. But with billions of dollars at stake, corporations are well known for their tendencies to sweep unhealthy ingredients under the mat, so to speak.
The American Cancer Society discusses aspartame, yet no real conclusive evidence has been brought to light concerning aspartame’s link to cancer. The American Cancer Society has compiled a list of possible aspartame health complaints on their website: “Claims have been made that aspartame is related to health effects ranging from mild problems such as headache, dizziness, digestive symptoms, and changes in mood, to more serious health issues such as Alzheimer disease, birth defects, diabetes, Gulf War syndrome, attention deficit disorders, Parkinson disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and seizures. However, studies done to date have not found any consistent evidence of harm.”
While the evidence concerning aspartame’s ill effects is, as yet, inconclusive, it is certainly a highly controversial topic and one that seems to put profits before health. What is clear, however, is that consuming artificially engineered products of any kind is not beneficial to our well-being.
Source: healthyss
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