Argumentative Essay: Carbonated Beverages: The Revealing Truth

Carbonated beverages have now become part of our daily lives. We drink soda pop or soft drinks -- like Coca Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, or 7up -- in replacement for water. Carbonated drinks are primarily composed of sugar, different kinds of acids, and caffeine. According to studies, there is an increase in the number of kids who drink more soda pop than water in a day; this proves that more and more kids are becoming prone to health hazards (Squires, n.d.). Although carbonated beverages are considered to be one of the most demandable thirst-quenching beverages -- also one of the biggest threat in our health -- they should just be taken more often than not because (a) it has caffeine which may cause caffeine dependence or addiction to caffeine, (b) it may cause obesity, and (c) it may be a cause of bone weakening.

Soft drinks should only be taken at the least possible amount because, first of all, they contain caffeine. According to soda pop producers, they use small amount of caffeine as a flavor enhancer and not as a drug. Caffeine has been part of almost every cola since they were first formulated more than a hundred years ago (NSDA, n.d.). The industry says that caffeine should be taken moderately. Though not all soft drinks are caffeinated, recent blind taste tests conducted by Roland Griffiths show that only eight percent of regular soft drink consumers could identify the difference between caffeinated and decaffeinated soft drinks (Squires, n.d.). Most of us knew that some soda pops contain a fair amount of caffeine -- about 35 to 38 milligrams per 12-ounce can. But did you know that siet colas contain a lot more caffeine than regular colas? A 12-ounce can of Diet Coke, for example, has about 42 milligrams of cafffeine -- that is, seven times more caffeine than a Coke Classic. Regular doses of caffeine have negative effects on brain development. According to Kenneth S Kendler, a professor of psychiatry, a person experiencing a splitting headache, slight rise in blood pressure, irritability, and maybe some stomach problems when not drinking caffeine for some time describe the typical withdrawal process suffered by caffeine consumers. The fact that people have withdrawal signs and symptoms when caffeine is stopped is a good indication that something has been disturbed in the brain (Squires, n.d.).

A person should only take small amount of soft drinks because second, they may cause obesity. Explanations of this mechanism by which soda may lead to obesity have not yet been proven, but the evidences are strong. A team of Harvard researchers presented the first evidence linking soft drink consumption to childhood obesity. They found that kids who drank soft drinks regularly were more likely to be overweight. According to Dave Ludwig, drinking soda is an independent risk factor for obesity. The brain seems to get confused by sugary liquid calories that pass quickly through the stomach. In this way, thinking controls the pounds that are added to our weight (Squires, n.d.).

One should take more water or other beverages than soft drinks because third, soda pops may be a cause of bone weakening. The carbonation in all soft drinks causes calcium loss in the bones. How? First, the carbonation irritates the stomach. Second, the stomach cures the irritation by using calcium which comes from the blood. The blood, now low in calcium, will still continue to supply insufficient calcium for the bones. Another acid that most soft drinks contain is the phosphoric acid which also cause lack of calcium supply (Softdrinks: Unsafe beverages, n.d.). Calcium is essential to our bones thus lack of calcium will lead to weak and brittle bones.

Generally, carbonated beverages has a lot more threat to our body and to our health. Soft drinks are harmful to one's body because it may cause diseases. Our body system will weaken due to lack of calcium which will only take effect somewhere in the future. Why not try juice, milk, or water? They are way more beneficial than soft drinks because they do not contain too much of the ingredients of a soft drink. We should start minimizing our intake of soft drinks or soda pops before it is too late.

References:

• Squires, S. (n.d.). Soft Drinks, Hard Facts. Retrieved April 5, 2010 from http://www.chetday.com/softdrinksdanger.htm
• Softdrinks: Unsafe beverages. Retrieved April 5, 2010 from http://www.mindconnection.com/library/health/softdrinks.htm

This topic is useful for every individual who enjoys soft drinks. This essay is about the negative effects of soft drinks in our health. I am very satisfied with the outcome of my composition because for me, this is one of the many risks in our health. This essay is one of my favorites.