When people start talking about drinks that can be harmful to health, many people automatically think of alcohol. But the danger is far greater when it comes to sugary sodas, which even children have access to. You might think that a glass of cola a day won’t harm you, but in fact it could be said to do far more damage to your body than a glass of wine.

Yes, alcohol in large quantities can be harmful. It destroys the liver, the brain and the heart. However, that’s if we’re talking about drinking large quantities of these beverages, or if the alcohol is consumed by people with some sort of disease. Moreover, it is said that one glass of wine a day can be beneficial to health, and that beer after lunch helps digestion. But have you ever heard of the positive effects (even in small amounts) of sugary sodas?

Sugar as a silent killer

Sugar is necessary for our bodies in its own way, it gives us energy very quickly, for example. But in large quantities it is not natural. Excessive sugar consumption overloads the pancreas, leads to the development of insulin resistance, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, inflammation in the body and even cardiovascular disease.

Sugar also weakens immunity and affects mood swings. So we should definitely be careful how much we consume. Sugary drinks are one of the biggest dangers. We often do not even realise it, but from childhood onwards we have been putting sugars into our bodies in large quantities for a long time, and this can cause us problems later on.

They are more harmful than alcohol

Sugary drinks are widely available. We drink them in childhood and certainly more often than alcohol. We don’t get sick from them at any given time, and we rarely get overdrinking, so we can consume these liquids almost without limit. It’s just that in the long run they have a very bad effect on us health-wise.

Most people drink alcohol occasionally, more socially, and the drinks are usually more expensive than a glass of soda.

You'll find surprisingly large amounts of sugar in some iced teas ━━ You'll find surprisingly large amounts of sugar in some iced teas ( Source: Mae Mu /  Unsplash+ )

Which sugary drinks are most harmful?

One of the biggest pests are carbonated sodas. They often contain huge amounts of sugar, artificial colours, caffeine and bone-damaging phosphoric acid. But fruit drinks, which often look healthy, are also dangerous. These drinks with added sugar also contain high doses of caffeine and other stimulants. In addition, they put a strain on the heart and nervous system.

Large quantities are also usually found in iced teas, which you can buy in petrol cans in almost every supermarket. They often have as much sugar as a regular soda, which many people don’t realise. In some cases, even plain flavoured waters can be tricky. It’s always a good idea to read their ingredients and make sure you know exactly what you’re drinking.