The cola was first patented in the United States in 1945 and no doubt with great success, 65 years later is the most consumed worldwide.
Cola drinks are soft drinks made with carbonated water, colored with caramel coloring and sweetened with nutritive sweeteners (sugar or corn syrup, high fructose) or non-nutritive (aspartame, aciculae potassium, socialize, saccharin or sodium cyclamate).
They also contain permitted additives such as flavorings, preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbet), acidulates (phosphoric acid, citric acid) and others contain caffeine in varying amounts between products.
A very casual and moderate consumption of soda (1 cup small) should not pose a health risk. However, when it comes to children or even adult’s excessive consumption is certainly a promoter of obesity and malnutrition, bone decalcification, hypertension and other health problems.
Phosphoric acid is a preservative found in soft drinks, daily intake in children represents an excess of phosphorus in the diet, in the medium term, bring a dematerializing effect on bones and teeth directly affect growth. Light drinks contain the same concentration of this compound.
Another harmful ingredient in particular for children, is the caffeine content in a personal size is equivalent to half a cup of coffee. For its stimulating effect, can significantly alter the behavior and sleep of children.
Soft drinks have no nutritional value other than energy derived from the high concentration of sugar, no vitamins, minerals, or other healthy nutrients, is what is considered a food with “empty calories.” A study in 2005 in Chile as maximum SENARC found 108 grams of sugar per liter of cola, which equals 3 teaspoons of sugar per cup of 200 ml.
A bottle of 600ml (two ½ cups) of soda can contain 17 teaspoons of sugar equivalent to approximately 250 kcal. The average diet requires 2000 kcal from healthy foods, adding the calorie content of soda will result in overweight and obesity.
Eating foods with high sugar content encourages an imbalance of blood glucose, the body responds with a rapid exit of insulin to assimilate balance blood glucose; soon these levels are low with the consequent need to eat more sugar.
