[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/whats-in-your-soda\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/whats-in-your-soda\/","headline":"What’s In Your Soda?","name":"What’s In Your Soda?","description":"While delicious, soda can be damaging to your health. Check out our infographic to find out what soda is made with, and the associated health risks.","datePublished":"2015-07-30","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/soda-glass.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/soda-glass.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/whats-in-your-soda\/","about":["Nutrition"],"wordCount":333,"keywords":["aspartame","caffeine","coca cola","cola","diabetes","infographic","pop","soda","soft drink","sugar"],"articleBody":"It’s delicious, refreshing, and bubbly, and that is probably why soda is consumed by many on a daily basis. Whether as a treat or a caffeine boost, it is widely consumed. However much you may enjoy it, it is important to recognize that it may not be the best thing for your health. Check out our infographic to find out everything that can be found in your soda.Aspartame in SodaAspartame is a sugar substitute that can be found in diet soda, as well as dairy products, desserts, and tabletop sweeteners. While this is an FDA-approved sweetener, there are beliefs that aspartame can be linked to:Brain tumorsBirth defectsEmotional disordersEpilepsy\/seizuresDiabetesSugar in SodaA high intake of sugar can leads to increased insulin levels which can lead to:High blood pressureHigh cholesterolHeart diseaseDiabetesWeight gainPremature agingThe new World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommends adults to consume about 25 grams of sugar per day. A single can of soda can have as much as 33 grams of sugar, easily putting you over the recommended daily limit.Caffeine in SodaCaffeine can be naturally found in soda, tea, coffee, and chocolate. While you may feel like that caffeine boost is necessary to get the day started, too much can have some unpleasant side effects. When consumed in excess it can lead to:InsomniaHigh blood pressureIrregular heartbeatElevated blood cholesterol levelsVitamin and mineral depletionCaffeine can speed up your heart rate, creating an uneven heartbeat, and raising blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Therefore it is recommended that people with heart problems eliminate or restrict caffeine intake.Caramel Color in SodaIn order for the darker sodas to get that dark caramel color, many will contain 4-methylimidazole, a carcinogen that has been linked to lung cancer with long-term exposure.Phosphoric Acid in SodaPhosphoric acid interferes with digestion and absorption of nutrients. On top of that it also erodes tooth enamel and bones. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What’s In Your Soda?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/whats-in-your-soda\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]