The Pro-Health, Anti-Soda Blog
Posts tagged science
Drinking Lots of Soda Can Make Your Muscles Weak, According To New Study
May 27th
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
Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors
May 21st
ScienceDaily (May 20, 2009) — Doctors have issued a warning about excessive cola consumption after noticing an increase in the number of patients suffering from muscle problems, according to the June issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.
“We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralisation and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes” says Dr Moses Elisaf from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Ioannina, Greece.
“Evidence is increasing to suggest that excessive cola consumption can also lead to hypokalaemia, in which the blood potassium levels fall, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle functions.”
A research review carried out by Dr Elisaf and his colleagues has shown that symptoms can range from mild weakness to profound paralysis. Luckily all the patients studied made a rapid and full recovery after they stopped drinking cola and took oral or intravenous potassium.
The case studies looked at patients whose consumption ranged from two to nine litres of cola a day.
Yet more reasons to stop drinking soda!
Source: Science Daily
