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Soda Causing Nutritional Deficiencies in Children
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
December 10 2000 | 4,669 views

Children and adolescents who drink soda may be depriving themselves of several important vitamins and minerals, results of a new survey suggest.

The researchers note that soda consumption among children and adolescents rose 41% between 1989-1991 and 1994-1995, mostly displacing milk and juice, the leading sources of many vitamins and minerals in the American diet.

The results are based on data from more than 4,000 children aged 2 to 17 years.

Among children aged 2 to 5:

  • 75% drank milk
  • 53% drank juice
  • 34% drank soda

In those aged 12 to 17:

  • 63% of boy and 49% of girls drank milk
  • 34% drank juice
  • 68% of boys and 63% of girls drank soda

Soda drinkers were less likely to get the recommended levels of:

  • vitamin A
  • calcium
  • magnesium

Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine November, 2000; 154: 1148-1152


Dr. Mercola''s Comments
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
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Soda is one of the main nutritional reasons why most people suffer from health problems. It parallels alcohol in one profound similarity. If one drinks all that sugar the appetite is relatively suppressed for nourishing foods like vegetables and that results in nutritional deficiencies. This is independent of all the damage that sugar can do. You might say, "But my kids drink diet soda!" Well as most of you know that is likely far worse (Aspartame).

Milk is not much better, and most of us should avoid drinking it.

We all need about one quart of water for every 50 pounds of body weight. Soda, juice and milk do not count towards this requirement. As a matter of fact, it is very sad to read that the leading source of vitamins and minerals in children's diets comes from juice and milk, both of which should be avoided in a diet for optimal health.

Related Articles:

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Lawmakers Push to Kick Sodas out of School Cafeterias

CHILDHOOD NUTRITION AFFECTS CANCER RISK

France Bans Sale Of Coca-Cola Products





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