Taking the Fizz Out of Soda

Television ads make it seem that if you drink the right soda, you’ll be cool, popular and exciting. But we know you’re smart enough not to believe everything you see and hear. And when it comes to your health, drinking lots of soda may not be wise, especially if you choose them instead of healthier drinks such as milk, juice or water.

Sodas are full of “empty” calories that fill you up, making you less likely to eat or drink what’s good for you, according to Donald Shifrin, a kids’ doctor and clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington.

Shifrin says that the high sugar content of regular sodas can cause weight problems and tooth decay. (Remember that science experiment in which you put a tooth in a glass of cola and watched it rot away?) Shifrin points out that another problem with sodas is that we often have them with junk foods, instead of nutritious snacks.

“You usually don’t have sodas with cereal or fruit or vegetables,” Shifrin says.

Doctors also worry that as kids drink more sodas, they have less milk. A recent study found that many kids and teens are not getting enough calcium because they drink twice as much soda as milk. Younger and older kids need calcium, found in milk and other dairy products, to grow strong bones. Some doctors also believe that guzzling a lot of dark colas may make it harder for your body to absorb calcium.

Another problem with soft drinks is that many contain caffeine. Ask any adult in line at Starbucks if caffeine wakes you up, and they’ll say yes. But that can have a downside for kids. Shifrin says kids who drink sodas with caffeine may have trouble falling asleep at night. Some experts also think caffeine can make you nervous or irritable. The only way to tell if a soda has caffeine is by reading the label. Several brands have as much caffeine in one can as a strong cup of coffee.

Many schools now have vending machines. Why? Sometimes, it’s because the companies that make soft drinks pay schools for the right to sell their product.

If your school has a soda vending machine, you may want to think twice before putting in your change.

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Kids and other readers can reach Emily Dwass by e-mail at emilydwass@yahoo.com.