The soda pop issue is an emotionally charged one - after all, most of us are hooked on these things.  Intellectually, we all can reason that carbonated beverages cannot actually be good for us.  We know that they offer no nutrional value, and they dehydrate rather than hydrate our cells.  We know the sugar in the "regular" soft drinks is bad for us, yet the sugar-free varieties are laced with aspartame and other excito-toxins, the dangers of which have been well documented.  And that's just for starters.

When we started on our healthy eating and healthy living lifestyle a couple of years ago, soft drinks were, by far, the hardest "food" to give up.  We quit eating meat, dairy, and refined and processed foods, all with surprising ease.  But giving up my Diet Coke was much more difficult.  It took upwards of nine months before I felt I was really over that addiction.  I call it an addiction, because I know of no other word to describe what I went through to give it up.  Now that I've overcome that unhealthy habit, you couldn't pay me to drink what used to be my favorite beverage!  The advantages of "clean eating" far outweigh any hardships we may encounter on our way there!

I read a wonderful article a couple of years ago, when I was still in the throes of overcoming my soft drink addiction.  I would like to share it with you now.

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Dangers of Soft Drinks
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The following is an excerpt from:
The Hallelujah Health Tip
Issue No. 18
February 13, 1998
 

Colas and Other Carbonated Beverages
by Rhonda Malkmus

Caffeine is an addictive drug found in coffee, tea, chocolate, most soft drinks and even in some over-the-counter and prescription drugs. This dangerous, but socially accepted, stimulant causes many problems for the body. Americans drink 137 billion cups of coffee annually. That is over 50 tons of caffeine per day! Even more caffeine is consumed in the form of soda pops. These products with caffeine artificially stimulate the body and increase the heart rate. While this artificial stimulation temporarily arouses the intellect and fatigue seems to disappear, it is short-lived. The excess stimulation depletes the body of vital energy as it struggles to deal with this poison which has entered its system. There are many effects from the consumption of caffeine, including increased incidence of bladder and stomach cancer, raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, and it aggravates diabetes and damages the lining of the stomach. Caffeine contributes to or causes birth defects in children, at least six kinds of cancer and provides the body with zero nutrition.

Vending machines allowing children to purchase colas can be found in most schools, shopping malls, grocery stores, and even in some churches. Soft drinks are being sold and marketed to even the youngest children and their unsuspecting parents. In 1980, the U. S. Department of Agriculture attempted to limit the sale of soft drinks and other junk foods in schools. The department adopted a regulation that prohibited schools from selling soft drinks, gum and hard candy before the last lunch period ended.

In 1984, the National Softdrink Association filed suit challenging the regulation. A federal appeals court sided with the Association. It ruled that the USDA did not have the legal authority to ban competitive foods from the cafeteria during lunch. This ruling opened the door for vending machines to invade school lunch rooms and challenged the local school systems to control the sale of competitive foods.

For an idea of how much caffeine is found in coffee, colas and some over-the-counter prescriptions: Maxwell House coffee (electric perk) has 97 mg. of caffeine per 6 oz. serving, one ounce of chocolate has 35 mg., "decaffeinated" coffee has 2 to 5 mg., and colas range between 34 and 49 mg. per 12 ounces. Comparing the colas, Mountain Dew topped out at 49 mg. per 12 ounces, while the lowest was Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Light at 34 mg. Coca-Cola has 42 mg. while regular Pepsi-Cola has 35 mg. As for over-the-counter drugs, there is 100 mg. of caffeine per tablet of Nodoz, 200 mg. in Vivarin, 64.8 mg. in Excedrin, 30 mg. in Sinarest, 200 mg. in Dexatrim and 100 mg. in Pre-Mens Forte.

But caffeine is not the only dangerous ingredient in cola. Soda pops contain caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners, carbonated water, and artificial coloring, including Amaranth (red), Bordeaux (brown) Orange I (yellow) and Ponceau (scarlet) dyes, all of which are unfit for human consumption. In his book, Water Can Undermine Your Health, Dr. N. W. Walker writes, "Supposing you knew that Soft Drinks could cause your brain to disintegrate, would you drink them? More than a million children today are afflicted with cerebral lesions (injury to the brain that causes sudden discharge of excessive nervous energy) and other afflictions caused by Soft Drinks!"

In a speech at Loma Linda, Hans Diehl, M.D., made the following statement: "All kinds of soft drinks are very acidic, especially colas. In order to neutralize a glass of cola, it takes 32 glasses of high pH alkaline water. It is well known by the medical profession that disease loves acid. In fact, a physician from Loma Linda University said in a speech that if we could get our cells to maintain a normal pH (slightly alkaline), cancer could not grow in our bodies."

Francisco Contreras, M.D. of the Oasis of Hope Contreras Cancer Care Center in Tijuana, Mexico, said at an AIM Convention in 1990 that cancer "can't live in an oxygen-rich environment. Cola drinks make our bodies poor in oxygen."

Beatrice Hunter in her book, Consumer Beware (1971), states: "Nutritionally, soft drinks are low in value. Their food energy comes solely from refined sugar. Every element of nutritional importance, except calories is zero. Soft drinks have much in common with hard liquor, claimed the co-discoverer of insulin, Dr. Charles Best. Cirrhosis of the liver has been found among teenagers who drink large quantities of soft drinks, as well as among chronic alcoholics."

In a report found in the FDA Consumer, October 1980, we read, "Most soft drinks, including the cola and pepper-type drinks contain caffeine and are the number one beverage in the United States today, with coffee second. Caffeine is a drug which stimulates the central nervous system. In the amounts presently being consumed, it can cause insomnia, nervousness, irritability, anxiety and disturbances in the heart rate and rhythm. Cola and pepper-like drinks account for 80 to 90 percent of the caffeine added to foods today. Its long-term effects on people are not clearly known."

In making a public announcement regarding caffeine's possible dangers to unborn children, past FDA Commissioner Dr. Jere E. Goyan urged pregnant women to avoid the use of caffeine products. He stated, "So while further evidence is being gathered on the possible relationship between caffeine and birth defects, a prudent and protective mother-to-be will want to put caffeine on her list of unnecessary substances which she should avoid." Goyan goes on to say, "that as a general rule, pregnant women should avoid all substances that have drug-like effects."

Dr. Mary Ruth Swope in her article titled, Why I Don't Drink Soft Drinks and I Wish You Didn't, makes the following statement: "Cola drinks contain caramel coloring, which, according to some researchers, has genetic effects and is a cancer-causing suspect. Polyethylene glycol is used as an ingredient sometimes. Glycol is used in anti-freeze in automobiles and as an oil solvent. Perhaps you have noticed that pouring cola drinks on your windshield in a snow or ice storm will keep the windshield from freezing over with ice." She also comments that, "Soft drinks use predominately three types of sweeteners - saccharin or aspartame in the diet type and sugar, cane syrup or corn syrup in the regular drinks. These substances enhance taste appeal and come touted as `refreshing' and `high energy.' The truth is that saccharin has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals and Nutra-sweet and Equal are linked to convulsions, depression, insomnia, irritability, weakness, dizziness, migraine headaches, mood changes and mental retardation. (Which of these, I ask, is something you really want in your life?)" She goes on to say, " A government warning was once issued the manufacturer of a certain world-famous refreshing soft drink for its suspected effect on the bones of children because of the large amount of phosphoric acid in it. Pour coke over an extracted baby tooth or a 10-penny nail and see it totally dissolve in a few days!"

Dr. Swope's article also states: "Diet sodas that are low in calories are high in sodium. Six ounces of regular Pepsi-Cola have 5 mg. of sodium; Diet Pepsi has 31 mg. (But who only drinks 6 oz. at a time now?) Classic Coke has 19 mg. of sodium. High blood pressure is a very common ailment in our society;  I wonder why!"

"And who shouldn't have high sodium in their diets? My personal answer to that question, is that any condition which causes a person to have high blood pressure should be considered a condition where limiting sodium intake would be helpful. Here are a few of those: certain tumors, kidney disease, adrenal or thyroid or pituitary gland malfunctioning -- even diabetes and arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Soft drinks, in my estimation, should be off-limits to persons with these conditions."

An article titled Confessions of a Soft Drink makes the following statement about soft drinks "The bubbles and fizz in soft drinks can potentially burn human insides: this is caused by the phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide. The phosphorus in the acid upsets the body's calcium-phosphorus ratio and dissolves calcium out of the bones. This can eventually result in osteoporosis, a weakening of the skeletal structure, which can make one susceptible to broken bones. Also, the phosphorus fights with the hydrochloric acid in human stomachs and renders it ineffective. This promotes indigestion, bloating and gassiness in many individuals. Carbon dioxide is a waste product exhaled by humans, but they ingest it when they drink cola drinks."

Dr. George M. Halpern, Division of Allergy at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, reports that diet soft drinks may cause allergies. "The potential problem may be due to toxicity because of the increase in consumption of diet drinks. Acute or chronic hives may be symptoms caused by this low-calorie, artificial sweetener."

In her 1971 book, Consumer Beware, Beatrice Hunter writes, "Dr. Clive McCay, working at the Naval Research Institute, placed extracted human teeth in cola drinks. Within two days, the teeth became very soft, and the enamel surface lost much of its calcium. Rats, well fed but given nothing to drink except cola beverages, after six months had their molar teeth dissolved down to the gum line. When Dr. McCay reported years ago the rat experiments before the Delaney hearings on chemicals in foods, a lawmaker reminded him that the soft drink industry represented huge economic investments. He suggested that these alarming findings be soft-pedaled to avoid disrupting the industry and the economy as a whole. Dr. McCay countered by stating that the health of the nation's children might be as important as the welfare of the soft-drink industry."

The research is abundant and I believe the case is clear; colas and other soft drinks are detrimental to all of God's children no matter what their age and should be eliminated from the diet immediately.

James Beasley, M.D., of the Ford Foundation Project stated that "If Americans do not change their eating and drinking habits within twenty years we will have nutritional obliteration." Reviewing the facts of the decreased health in our country, one would think Dr. Beasley is right on track.

One of our intentions in writing this book is to collect and present the evidence, as clearly as possible, to show the harmful effects these products are having on our people. But we, at Hallelujah Acres, are just one voice among many in this world. In your lifetime, you and your family will be exposed to countless advertisements, commercials and "scientific" studies designed to promote meat, dairy products, sugar, white flour and other processed foods, as well as drugs such as coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. We hope you will carefully consider your response to these issues as you plan meals for yourself and your family. Make these decisions as if your life -- and the lives of your family members -- are at stake, because this is truly the case. People are dying every day because of what they eat, and these premature deaths can be prevented by making the right decisions about diet and lifestyle.
 

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Interesting Beverage?
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The following article excerpt is found at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/healthlogic/samplrpt.htm.
 

Health Logic Optimum Health Plan for: Sample Report
Copyright 1999 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Edward V. Brown, DC, DABCI - (HealthLogic@compuserve.com)

Soft Drinks
Carbonated soft drinks are an interesting beverage. The carbonation process produces enough acid that if phosphorus was not added to the product, it would dissolve your teeth. Your body must maintain calcium and phosphorus in a precise balance. When we take in too much phosphorus, your body will get rid of calcium in order to maintain the balance. This has the unfortunate side effect of accelerating bone loss, or osteoporosis. Considering that soft drinks also contain too much sugar and many have as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, this is a category of 'food' that we are better off without.

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Staying Hydrated
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The following is an excerpt from an article on skin care.  In fact, the first line of the article reads, "Nobody really likes looking like last year's luggage."  I'm sure we can all identify with that!  You can read this article in its entirety at:  http://www.mindconnection.com/library/health/skinhealth.htm.
 

Most people are dehydrated. If your urine isn't clear, you are drinking too little water. This is hard on your kidneys, and can lead to painful stones and/or urinary tract infection. Plus, it causes your skin to be as flexible as leather and look about the same.  Drink up! Alcohol dries the skin, so keep it off your skin and out of your diet for maximum skin protection. Sodas don't help. Their caffeine is dehydrating, as is their sodium. The carbonation reduces the amount of calcium in your bones, and that means earlier onset of osteoporosis. The sugar causes insulin problems. There is nothing of value in a soft drink, so always opt for a different beverage or go without. You can buy a sports water bottle at any department store, and keep it with you. Or get a jug to keep at your desk if you work in an office. A good rule of thumb? Drink a quart (or liter) within an hour of starting work, and another quart before lunch. Drink a third quart before dinner, and a fourth quart after. If you do anything athletic, adjust accordingly. Sure, that's a lot of water, and a lot of trips to the bathroom. But, that's the cost of having a human body designed the way it is, and wanting it to look good.

We don't usually devote an entire e-zine to a single subject or issue.  But we felt the subject of soft drink addiction is worthy of your exclusive attention.  We hope this information has given you a lot to think about and to share with your family and friends.  If you have comments or would like additional information or help, please contact us at russell@healthyperspective.com.

Until next time!
God bless you,
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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