A steady, litres-per-day diet of colas can cause serious muscle problems, doctors warned in a study Tuesday.

A review of clinical cases showed that super-sized doses of soft drinks loaded with processed sugars and caffeine can cause potassium levels in the blood to plummet, giving rise to a condition known as hypokalaemia.

Small changes in potassium levels can profoundly effect the functioning of the body’s cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems.

Typical symptoms of hypokalaemia are decreased muscle strength, cramping, palpitations and nausea.

In more extreme cases, potassium deficiency can lead to heart trouble and profound paralysis.

“We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before and a number of health issues have already been identified,” including tooth decay, loss of bone mass, and diabetes,  said Moses Elisaf, a doctor at the University of Ioannina in Greece and main architect of the study.

“Excessive cola consumption can also lead to hypokalaemia, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle functions,” he said in a statement. [emphasis added]

So in addition to making you fat, drinking soda excessively can also make you weak. Yet another reason why you should stop drinking soda!

Source: Canada.com