Soft drinks have now become a ubiquitous part of our culture. They include beverages that contain natural or artificial sweetening materials, edible acids, and sometimes fruit juice. A soft drink might be carbonated depending on the other materials used. Due to this, it is essential to regulate the consumption of soft drinks. Having such drinks daily has been associated with a number of health issues. Read on to know more.

Types of soft drinks
The different types of soft beverages are as follows:

Lemon-lime drinks: It is a carbonated beverage containing lemon and lime flavorings.

Orange soda: It is an orange juice-flavored carbonated drink.

Cola: Flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus oils, this carbonated drink is among the most popular soft beverages globally.

Grape soda: Grape soda is a sweetened drink with grape flavoring and has a deep purple color.

Ginger ale: This soft drink is made of ginger and is sometimes used as a mixer with other drinks.

Egg cream: Don’t get confused but this drink doesn’t contain egg or cream. The chilled milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer are mixed up to make this frothy drink.

Ingredients used in soft drinks recipes
All the ingredients used to produce soft drinks are of excellent food grade to create a top-quality beverage. Along with this, the quantity of each ingredient is set and used most appropriately for finesse in the drink. The ingredients used in soft drinks are listed below:

Carbonated water
This is the primary ingredient of any soft beverage. It makes up as much as 94 percent of the drink. The presence of carbon dioxide ensures that the beverage has a slightly tangy taste while providing a bit of sparkle. It is an adequate gas for drinks as it is non-toxic, inert, and easily affordable.

Sugar
It constitutes as much as 7 to 12 percent of soft beverages. Sugar provides sweetness to the soft drink, making it tasty, one of the many reasons why consumers enjoy a soft drink.

Acids
A soft beverage is incomplete without balancing the sweetness, tartness, and acidity. The most common acid used is citric, which contains a lemony flavor and is quite common in drinks. Phosphoric acid is another acid used to enhance tartness and to improve the shelf-life of the drink.

Other additives
One of the main additives used in any soft beverage is flavoring. Depending on the type and flavor of drink, these can be natural, natural identical, and artificial flavorings. Emulsions are also added to enhance the appearance of the drink. At the end of the production, preservatives like antioxidants are added to protect it from microorganisms and deterioration. When it comes to production, soft beverages are produced by mixing various ingredients with water under specific temperatures and environments.

The side effects of soft drinks
The overconsumption of these drinks can lead to a number of side effects. In rare cases, the excess consumption of soft drinks can also become life-threatening. Let’s have a look at some of the consequences of daily soft beverage consumption:

Unhealthy lifestyle
Long-term consumption of soft beverages can impact the food one eats. As a result, the body gets deprived of enough nutrients. Consuming these sugar-sweetened beverages unnecessarily can result in less energy, and one might notice negative changes in their body.

Type 2 diabetes
Some soft drinks contain 40 grams or more of sugar per 12 ounces. This ratio is alarming since it is higher than what an adult man or woman should consume in a day. The ideal levels of sugar that are fit for daily consumption should not be more than 24 grams for women, and not more than 36 grams for men. As a result, consuming soft drinks daily increases the risk of getting diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Heart disease
Regular consumption increases the risk of health issues like cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. Physicians believe such a consumption rate can propel one’s chance of getting diagnosed with heart disease by at least 10 percent.

Dental problems
Many soft drinks contain high concentrations of carbohydrates, fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Sometimes, dental bacteria ferment carbohydrates and produce acids that are detrimental to the teeth’s enamel, which is why dental decay occurs. Such a condition progresses more rapidly than one can imagine.

Decay in bone density
One of the significant side effects of soft drink consumption is that one starts losing bone density at a faster rate.

Kidney stones
Soft beverages also contribute to various kidney diseases through overconsumption.

Health professionals always advise consumers to have soft drinks in moderation or cut them off completely. These beverages based on different flavors contribute to significant health issues if consumed daily. It is essential to stay healthy, and this can be done by regulating the consumption of sweetened beverages.