Yet Another Really Scary Reason Why Kids Shouldn't Drink Soda

on February 9, 2012 at 7:07 AM

sosda We already knew soda could rot our kids' teeth, make them obese and give them ADHD. (Talk about a product that offers plenty of bang for its buck!) Oh, and that it could probably burn through their insides (if the Mountain Dew/mouse goo lawsuit is any indication).

Now comes what could potentially be the scariest news about soda's physically harmful effects yet: People ages 16 and up who drink more than half a liter of soda per day are more than twice as likely to develop asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Yikes! More than twice as likely?!

How exactly does a beverage affect the respiratory system? Well, the researchers aren't entirely sure just yet. The study was cross-sectional so it couldn't prove causality, just guilt ... by association. High soda intake was one of the characteristics of the asthma/COPD sufferers, but it's not certain one led to the other.

What is certain? Not surprisingly, smoking was another common characteristic among those with breathing problems. A little game of theoretical connect-the-dots would suggest that people who drink a lot of soda are people who tend to be less health-conscious in general, and therein lies the connection between pop and lung diseases.

Now, I must admit -- I'm not a huge fan of my kids or anybody's kids drinking soda, but I wouldn't quite classify it as a gateway drug, so to speak. Still, it's not like we needed more proof soda is bad for us.

Kids will be kids and I'm not fool enough to believe a teen isn't going to order a 95-ounce soda as soon as mom drops him off at the movies, but at least as parents we can vocalize our opinions on soda and make it a policy to not keep it in the house.

Does your kid drink a lot of soda? Does the link between soda and breathing problems scare you?

Image via eddie welker/Flickr

About the author Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!

Filed Under: health

Comments (18)

carole76

on Feb 9, 2012 at 7:27 AM

Wow, I have never been a fan of soda, I don't mind having a ginger ale when my kids have stomach aches, or colds but I learned a long time ago how damaging soda is.

Report this comment

hoticedcoffee

on Feb 9, 2012 at 7:51 AM

My kids are only allowed to drink regular - not diet - soda on special occasions, birthday parties and holidays, mostly. My 5 year old hates it, so he never drinks it. My 8 year old will only choose soda if root beer or something citrusy is available (though I have nixed Mountain Dew as a choice - that is poison in a can). Otherwise he'll choose water or juice. I think our country would be healthier overall if people limited their soda consumption - it's so bad for people.

Nonmember comment from Lucy

on Feb 9, 2012 at 8:05 AM

People are too greedy and into instant gratification to change poor diets. No matter how many studies prove the dangers of our unecessary dietary choices, people will still defend their poor habits (over-eating, smoking in front of their kids, not exercising etc). I'd rather be labeled a health nazi than to poison my and my children's bodies.

Nonmember comment from Brooke

on Feb 9, 2012 at 9:07 AM

Nope, no soda in our house at all. I hate the way it makes my teeth feel, you can literally feel them rotting. My kids drink mostly water, sometimes juice cut with water, and vitamin shakes for breakfast.

jagamama0710

on Feb 9, 2012 at 9:49 AM

No my kids don't drink soda. They're only 4 and 1 though so I'm sure they'll have occasional sodas when they're older. I did give my 4 year old some (all natural) ginger ale the other day because she had an upset stomach but she didn't like it.

I don't usually keep soda in the house but I sometimes grab a cherry limeade from Sonic. Yum! Mostly I just crave the bubbles so I buy La Croix sparkling lime water for the house. No sodium, sweeteners, or anything junky in it.

nikolita87

on Feb 9, 2012 at 1:05 PM

What I want to know is who drinks more than half a liter of soda per day? I occasionally drink soda and on the same token, I'll let my son have some too here and there. But I never let him have more than a child size cup's worth. And when he gets older, I'll make sure he's not drinking more than half a liter, although I doubt we'll struggle with that.

on Feb 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM

nikolita87 - My uncle does but he doesn't stop at half a liter. More like 1-2 liters. A day. SMH.

jaydensmom1726

on Feb 9, 2012 at 2:18 PM

my son will take a sip of of my diet soda on ocassion but he dosent really like it so he never goes back more than once.

he prefers his apple&eve juice box's

Facebook comment from Michelle Clark

on Feb 9, 2012 at 2:32 PM

Soda is a treat for us...but you know what? I think the soda companies are a little bit responsible. It's getting harder and harder to find them in the single cans anymore...esp in the vending machines. The companies are going with the 2 1/2 serving bottles.

And we're Dr. Pepper fans.

Alysse24

on Feb 9, 2012 at 5:03 PM

"We already knew soda could....give them ADHD." This is such a gross fabrication. There is absolutely no scientific based research that suggests that soda "gives" a person ADHD. There's enough generalizations and misleading information about the disorder and here's yet another bit of untruth. It's unfortunate that a journalist who gets to post on this forum was unable to do some research before making such an outrageous assertion.