Supermercado in Costa Rica (photo by Mary Thorman, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Sugary sodas are known to be major contributors to obesity and related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Some health professionals have suspected that colas in particular may pose health risks. The fact that colas are laden with caffeine makes it a bad idea to serve them to children. A recent study by scientists from the National Institutes of Health published in the journal Epidemiology, “has found that drinking two or more colas a day — whether artificially sweetened or regular — was linked to a twofold risk of chronic kidney disease,” according to an article in the New York Times.

The article states:

The authors of the study say more research is needed, but their findings support the long-held notion that something about cola — the phosphoric acid, for example, or the ability of cola to pull calcium from bones — seems to increase the risk of kidney stones, renal failure and other conditions affecting the kidneys.

When you feel the urge to have a soda it's probably best to have a glass of water and cut down on soft drinks, or forego them entirely.

If you'd like to read the article in the New York Times cited above go to: The Claim: Too Much Cola Can Cause Kidney Problems

To view previous posts on the topic go to:
1. Safety of Soft Drinks Under Scrutiny
2. Diet Soft Drinks May Increase Risk of Heart Disease
3. A Glass of Water Is Best