As the number of people with unhealthy diets, cancer and obesity grows each day, more and more research is being done to determine the cause.  Something that has recently been brought to attention is soda consumption and the effects that it can have on our bodies. Penn State has done a study over ten years of how soda consumption at age five affects diets in girls through adolescence, UCLA has determined a direct link between obesity and soda consumption, and the University of Minnesota’s 14 year study shows that pancreatic cancer risk is more than doubled by soda consumption. All of these studies show how important it is to be more conscious of what we are putting into our bodies.

Penn State followed 170 girls for a ten-year period starting at age five.  These girls were classified in groups as either a soda drinker, or a non-soda drinker. The girls who consumed soda at age 5 had unhealthier lifestyles by age 15 in many ways. Soda drinkers were noted as consuming less milk, having a diet more deficient in vitamin c, vitamin d, and calcium. While both groups had increased their soda intake by age 15, the non-soda drinkers at age 5 consumed less at age 15 than the girls who consumed soda at age five. The study also revealed that the parents of soda drinkers had higher body mass indexes than the parents of non-soda drinkers. They stated “parents model consumption patterns for their children”. Parents who are unhealthy are more likely to have children who are unhealthy. (NewsRX Science, 2010)

UCLA’s determined that there is a link between soda consumption and obesity. UCLA conducted surveys on over 40,000 people and concluded that those who consumed one or more sodas a day were 27% more likely to be overweight. Dr. Goldstein even deems cutting back on soda consumption as the “top priority” in fighting obesity. Their research showed that calorie consumption has increased by 278 calories per day in the past 30 years and that 47 percent of those calories can be attributed to soda consumption. It is important to note that while the calorie intake has increased over the last 30 years activity, to burn calories, has remained the same. They also noted that 62 percent of children consume one or more sodas a day. (Business Wire, 2009)

In the study of 60,000 people over 14 years in Singapore the findings are eye opening. The study found that pancreatic cancer was increased by 87 percent in those who consumed two or more sodas a week. While there were only 140 people in the study who developed pancreatic cancer this number is still incredibly high considering that there is only a 5 percent survival rate. The pancreas is responsible for secreting insulin when the blood sugar is spiked, and the study indicated that these high levels of insulin develop cancer cells. (Hanson, 2010)

While all of these studies show that the consumption of soda is detrimental to health, they each emphasize different risks. When I sit in a restaurant and look around at what the people around me are drinking my heart sinks. I notice that more than half the people are sucking down soda and often get refills. This is only during one meal, so I can only imagine what they consume on a regular basis. These studies outline the incredible damage that these people are doing to their bodies. When I try to express to patients and friends what a single soda a week can do to their health, it is often received with the attitude that I am preaching and should mind my own business. It is disappointing because all I want to do is prevent them suffering later in their lives. The research may make me cringe, but sadly most of the general public lives in ignorant bliss.