Discover 5 harms of soda for your workouts

If you exercise and continue to consume soda regularly, look at the damage the drink is doing to your body

It’s no news that consuming soda provides no health benefits. Indeed: devoid of nutritional value, the drink contains a series of chemical substances and, if consumed in excess, can become carcinogenic. Furthermore, for those who train – no matter whether they are an amateur or professional athlete – it hinders performance and results.

Nutritionist Juliana Vieira, from the exercise cardiology unit of the Sírio-Libanês hospital, highlights the five main harms of soft drinks for athletes. Watch:

1 – Causes changes in body composition

«Soft drinks are traditionally rich in sugars, that is, they are also rich in calories. Athletes tend to think that due to the increase in energy expenditure they can consume any food, even the most sugary ones. Without an adequate dietary strategy and calorie balance, regular consumption can contribute to unwanted weight gain, affect body composition and, therefore, sports performance, “he emphasizes.

2 – Hinder hydration

Cola-flavored drinks contain caffeine, which has a diuretic effect and worsens dehydration processes. “For athletes, the amount of caffeine needs to be planned. Additionally, adequate hydration is essential for performance and recovery,” warns Juliana.

3 – Affects bone health

Phosphoric acid is another chemical additive found in soda. “It can interfere with the absorption and utilization of calcium by bones, impairing their formation. Athletes are constantly building and repairing musculoskeletal structures due to training and the impact of exercise. The consumption of that can interrupt these processes can also interfere with recovery,” guide the nutritionist.

4 – Weakens immunity

Those who consume more soda generally have the habit of consuming fewer drinks with adequate nutritional density by making substitutions. Therefore, after a training session, those in the habit of consuming soda may prefer to consume it instead of water or natural juice, for example.

“This means that you consume fewer vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. However, achieving the total amount of micronutrients is essential to strengthen and restore immunity,” warns the specialist.

5 – It creates problems with the digestive processes

“Soft drinks, in addition to being carbonated, generally have high levels of sugar, sweeteners, preservatives and colorings. This composition can interfere with hormonal and enzymatic secretions in the gastrointestinal tract, predisposing to the possibility of unwanted symptoms, such as belching, flatulence (gas ), feeling of fullness, bloating and even abdominal pain,” explains Juliana.

According to her, in addition to worsening quality of life and impairing nutrient absorption, these symptoms can lead athletes to have to interrupt a training session due to discomfort.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.