Soft drinks and their effects on health

Abstract

The consumption of soft drinks has increased manifold over the last decades. In parallel to this increase it has been noticed an increase in health problems, especially obesity. Dentists continue to urge their patients not to drink soft drinks, and there has also been suggested a link between soft drink consumption and osteoporosis, hypokalemia and diabetes mellitus 2. Other additives, like caffeine, have been associated with headaches, restlessness and trouble with sleeping. Although more research is needed to confirm these relationships, many scientists suggest that we should start taking action to prevent children from developing the habits of large soft drink consumption we witness today. This could be accomplished by cooperation between parents, health practitioners, school system and government.