Soda,also known as soft drink is a drink that usually contains water(often carbonated), a sweetener and a natural/artificial flavoring. They may also contain little or no amount of alcohol in it. They may be served cold,over iced cubes or at room temperature. They are available in many container forms including cans,glass bottles and plastic bottles. Sodas are widely available at fast food restaurants, movie theatres, soda stores and even in our homes

Some examples are pepsi,coca cola,sprite,fanta,etc

Addiction, on the other hand is the condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity. It's a mental or physiological disorder characterized by a continuous use of a substance even though it affects you negatively. As people are addicted to alcohol, drugs,smoking and even smart phone usage, one could also be addicted to soda

Causes of soda addiction

Soda contains ingredients like caffeine and sugar that can be addictive. For instance, much like addictive substances such as alcohol and drugs, caffeine also triggers the release of the feel-good hormone dopamine in the brain, making you crave more of it.

However, the development of addiction is individual, and some may be more susceptible than others.

How do you know if you're an addict?

• Do you often find yourself craving a soda?

• Does your meal feel incomplete without a soda to wash it down?

• Do you drink soda everyday,sometimes more than once a day?

If so, it's possible you may have a soda addiction

Are they health benefits of taking sodas?

I'm not saying you shouldn't take sodas. Yes, soda can be a delicious beverage, but its one you should enjoy in moderation. Here are some of benefits of taking sodas.

• They give energy: Sodas contain sugars like sucrose and fructose which are high energy boosters

• They keep you hydrated: Sodas are nothing but the mixture of carbonated water and carbohydrates. The huge amount of water present keeps you hydrated

• Some sodas contain caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the brain and nervous system.

  Are they health hazards too?

Obviously,Yes. The health hazards are more than the health benefits.

• Tooth decay: Sodas contain high amount of sugars and acids. This acids and sugars eat away the tooth enamel(the thin outer covering of the tooth). Once the enamel wears off, your tooth becomes susceptible to decay or even tooth death

• Fatty liver disease:Sodas contain high amount of sugars. Fructose are only metabolized by one organ, the liver unlike other sugars. When you consume too much sodas,the liver becomes overloaded and turns fructose into fats. Some of thus fats get shipped off while part of it remains in the liver leading to Fatty Liver Disease

• Inflammation and premature aging: Soda creates inflammatory response in the body due to it's high glycemic index(a scale that ranks the number of carbohydrates in foods from 0-100 indicating how quickly a food causes a person's blood sugar to rise). People who drink lot of soda lack bright and vibrant skin. It becomes dull and saggy due to constant inflammation. Also, the caffeine contained in sodas dehydrates the skin leading to wrinkles and high oil content.

• Weight gain/Obesity: Drinking artificially sweetened sodas may lead to weight gain. Sodas do not fill us up as quickly as solid food do. They cause your blood sugar to rise and fall quickly, this makes you feel hungry sooner and causes you to eat more. Sodas are also high in calories.

• Type 2 Diabetes: The hormone insulin drives glucose from blood stream into your cells. But when you consume excessive soda, your cells become less sensitive or resistant to the effects of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a common disease affecting millions of people. It's characterized by elevated blood sugars due to insulin resistance.

Are there other healthier soda alternatives?

Yes, there are. A healthy soda alternative has little or no sugar, no additives and no artificial stuff like coloring or flavoring.

There are many excellent options and we'll look at them below.

• Water: Drinking water is wonderful to your health. Soda contains caffeine which is a diuretic. As a result, drinking soda will actually dehydrate you. If you need to quench your thirst or rehydrate, water is always the best choice

• Fruit infused water: Water is the best way to stay hydrated, but not everyone likes the taste of plain water. You can add flavor with infused fruits like lemon, lime, berries, oranges, watermelons or even cucumber slices.

• Smoothies: These are thick, smooth drink of fresh fruit pureed with milk or yoghurt. They are so nutritious and nourishing. They help improve digestive function because they are naturally high in fiber.

• Milk or milk alternatives: A nice glass of cold milk or milk alternative like soya milk or coconut milk is better than taking soda. They are high in protein and they fill you up.

• Coconut water: Coconut water comes from the middle of a young and green coconut. It's a great potassium source and really refreshing

• Fruit juices: Fruit juices are 100% pure juice made from the flesh of fresh fruit or from whole fruit. There are no added sugars in a fruit juice. An apple juice,orange juice, watermelon juice or any other juice made from your desired fruit is a good option.

• Coffee: Drinking coffee in moderation can be a great healthy alternative to soft drinks. They protect against oxidative stress. They also increase alertness and concentration because it acts as a mild stimulant to the nervous system.

So...

It's up to you whether you want to incorporate sodas into your regular rotation. But you should be aware of the health benefits as well as the health risks.

Drink wisely.