As Americans continue to fight the battle of the bulge, many nutritionists and researchers are releasing their findings regarding the fact that the overly acidic diet we consume causes problems from weight gain and difficulty in losing weight, to many chronic diseases that plague our society.
Double cheeseburgers, giant fries, super size sodas, shakes and drinks, including the diet ones, wreak havoc with our bodies as they are all acid forming and throws the mineral balance off in our body. Further, the body also must work to bufer the effects of the acid. (hense antacids). To enjoy a measure of health, we need more foods that are more alkaline such as fruits, vegetables and water.
How are diet sodas bad?
Sodas, both diet and regular, are high in phosphoric acid. This acid is damaging to the kidneys and also causes the body to leach out minerals, such as iodine, to buffer the substance. Most of us know that iodine is essential for thyroid health. Without adequate iodine, the thyroid becomes sluggish, thus causing a sluggish metabolism.( Metabolism refers to the rate with which food is being burned to meet our body's needs.) A slow or sluggish metabolism causes weight gain.
Further, the concentrated artificial sweeteners in sodas and other foods tricks the body; if an individual were consuming sugar, the body would release insulin. In the case of artificial sweeteners, the body senses the sweetness and releases the insulin which lowers the blood sugar. Since no sugar has been consumed, the individual feels deprived, hungry and craving something - guess what that is? Sugar - food!. This is the vicious cycle that contributes to the weight gain roller coaster.
What should one do?
Avoid artificial sweeteners. Besides, they are bad on digestion. Use smaller amounts of sugar, or, if you really want to go healthy, try stevia, maple or rice sweeteners, agave and many of the other natural sweeteners that are available in your local organic grocers.
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